Jim Daly (Cork South West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

-----HIQA. We must ensure that we do not compromise any of the activities undertaken in nursing homes. I want there to be more activities undertaken. It is not right that older people should just sit in a chair with their heads to one side for the entire day or lie in bed without being moved. They should get entertainment, stimulation and so on. We must ensure and encourage a comprehensive range of activities for older people. I do not want anything in this debate to take from that. We are adding years to life, but we also want to add a good quality of life to the years people are spending in nursing homes.

As Age Action is stressing, the key to this is consistency and transparency. The Deputy referred to both when discussing the online publication of charges. I would have no difficulty with the charges being covered by the State or anyone else. We can examine any method, but activities should continue and be charged for - if they are charged for at all - in an open, transparent and consistent way. If that is done, I will be satisfied that our elderly people are being looked after.

I welcome the attention that the Deputy is bringing to this very important subject.

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