Michael Fitzmaurice (Roscommon-South Leitrim, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Everyone agrees that elderly people should receive the best possible care. Two weeks ago, senior HSE officials told me the Cabinet had to meet and the HSE would shortly know the outcome of that meeting. What does "shortly" mean to a 90 year old person who looks one in the eye and asks whether a nursing home will close forcing him or her to move out? I will not tell a lie to anybody and I looked the person in question in the eye and said I would do everything possible to help. The facts are, however, that the Government has the cheque book, the figures have been done and the announcement has been made. Why keep this person waiting and wondering? Are politicians in the game of trying to shorten people's lives by causing them to feel trepidation as a result of not knowing what will happen? Why does the Government not come clean and be straight when it makes announcements? Why not state whether funding is available for a home? There is an onus on the Taoiseach to be straight and tell people in Roscommon and other areas where nursing homes are needed that the funding required is available.

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