Michael Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Harty and the other members of our group and I thank David, Mairéad, Maureen, Tríona and all in Deputy McGrath's office for their diligent work in bringing forward this motion. The Government parties, the Opposition parties, namely, Fianna Fáil and Sinn Féin, and the Independents all agree with what we are saying and the only reason they are doing that is that we are right. There has to be recognition of the great work being done in caring for our people at home. We are all aware of the fair deal package and I wish to acknowledge the great work done by our community hospitals and local nursing homes, which take great care of elderly people, people with dementia of different forms and people who cannot exist at home.

In the past, Ministers thought it was a good idea to close down our community hospitals such as those in County Kerry like Killarney Community Hospital, Kenmare Community Hospital and Caherciveen Community Hospital, and a couple of hospitals in west Cork. Everybody knows now that we could not do without our community hospitals and I am proud of the fact that our father, Jackie Healy-Rae, as chairman of the Southern Health Board, took on the Minister of the time and highlighted the fact that it was outrageous and nonsensical. He was proved right over a period of time and it was right to keep our community hospitals open because they provide an invaluable service. Our nursing homes also provide great care.

We are suggesting how funding should be allocated to support people who want to remain in their own homes. Every person's dear wish would be to stay at home, whatever else happens, because there is no place like one's own humble home as people like us, who spend a lot of time away from home, know very well. We are all the same and we would all like to be in our own old corner.

It might be nothing fancy-----

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