Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The great Nelson Mandela, or Madiba as he was known, once said that a nation should not be judged by how it treats its highest citizens. He went on to indicate that it is how we treat all within our number. It is timely that we are debating this Private Member's motion this evening, and I commend Fianna Fáil for bringing it forward. I pledge the full support of Sinn Féin for its proposals.

Our older people are the bedrock of our society, those who have contributed so much in building our communities, raising families, working and paying their duty of tax to build a better country. Indeed, they pass on the knowledge they have accrued and experience they have gained to their younger family members, and indeed to younger citizens in general. They deserve our warmest appreciation. Do we treat our elder citizens with the dignity and respect they deserve? The answer, unfortunately, is no. We have been through horrific economic times, which I acknowledge. We are still bearing the scars from those times. Indeed, the cuts that caused those scars over the last number of years are still bleeding inside. However, we can stop this. Revenue returns have improved significantly, and we have more money in our public coffers today, which allows the Government to make choices. The choices it makes will inform the judgment of how we as a nation treat our citizens, especially our older citizens.

The Tánaiste, speaking in this very Chamber last Thursday stated that: "6,269 people approved for new or additional home supports were waiting for funding to be made available". This morning I noted that the Minister for Health, Deputy Harris, and the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, announced an additional 550 home care packages for the winter period, including additional transitional care beds and €4 million towards required aids and appliances. This investment is to be welcomed, but it is nowhere near enough. It comes down to choice. It is estimated that the current waiting time for a home care package averages at three and a half months. Some of our citizens, including some I know personally, have waited years. Three and a half months, however, is still too long to wait. What does this tell us? As is the case in so many other areas of our health service, it exposes a complete lack of capacity caused by under-investment. Based on the figures I have cited, and despite today's announcement, the agony experienced by many people continues.

Perhaps it is a coincidence that this morning's announcement happened on the same day as this private member's business; I would never call it a gimmick or a stunt. Some might suggest that the announcement was made to nullify the embarrassment this Government feels given that its policy choices determine where public moneys go. Whatever the reason, we welcome it for what it is. There will still, however, be 5,700 older people awaiting home care packages to allow them to live in their own home with the necessary additional supports. It seems to me that this morning's announcement was borne of panic.

On a not unrelated matter, today there are 425 Irish citizens lying on trolleys in the corridors of hospitals. Many of them are older people. On this day in 2017 the figure was 448; in 2016 it was 397; in 2015 it was 292; and in 2014 the figure was 321. This Government does not have a handle on the health service, evidenced by the figures I have just cited. The problems are growing. It has been slow to move on the all-party Sláintecare initiative. It has picked and chosen the items it wants to implement, not wanting to upset certain vested interests. The Minister of State, Deputy Daly, only two days ago, referred to "bed-blockers". I am glad that he did not repeat that in his address a few moments ago. That phrase is insensitive. It was repeated by another Member of this House this afternoon. It should be rejected. These so-called "bed-blockers" are people. They are our parents and grandparents, and deserve dignity and respect, and the maintenance of their integrity as they face health challenges in their later years. These challenges are going to present at some point in all of our lives, so I appeal to everyone to show compassion and respect, and to cease using that objectionable phrase.

Sinn Féin absolutely supports the proposition put forward by Fianna Fáil this evening. I would make further points if I had more time, but I ask the Minister of State, in making the choice to put more euro in the pockets of those who already have enough, to remember that not everyone wants that. Many Irish people are carers, and many more care.

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