Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, United Left) | Oireachtas source

I accept the Minister of State's comments, but if the Government is planning, it should have planned for what happened a number of months ago. Why are we in this situation if the Government has the statistics?

We know from yesterday that, by June, a number of public nursing homes could face bed closures.

Has the Government planned for that and the fact that, within six months, there could be fewer beds for people who need the care — I hate saying "step-down care" — that they cannot get in the acute hospitals? I refer to the care they need in their communities or homes. How are we planning for that? Is it being factored in for six months down the line? While I acknowledge it is winter, I believe we still need increased care for an elderly, ageing population. I will be elderly some day and hope we will be able to have in place the care that is needed.

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