Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I also thank the Minister of State for coming into the House to deal with this issue. Her dedication to the task of providing world class services for the elderly is not in doubt.

How we treat the elderly is a fair mark of our society. They were the creators of the society and systems we now enjoy. They worked hard, often for low pay, paid their taxes and are now entitled to the best care that can be provided, if possible in their own homes and, where that is not possible, in available care facilities of high standard. It is not acceptable that the elderly are left in acute hospital beds when what they need is nursing home care. It is not acceptable that they are left in their homes where they can no longer be adequately cared for.

The fair deal scheme is just that - a good deal for those who need nursing home care. This excellent scheme was intended to be - I emphasise this point - demand-led where the service would be provided when required. The current practice, inherited by the Minister of State, whereby the scheme is capped financially, leads to inevitable delays in the service being provided and real hardship for the elderly persons left waiting. I am asking that the resources needed to provide a demand-led service be provided by the Government and that the waiting for essential care for long periods be ended. Senior citizens deserve no less.

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