Donnchadh Ó Laoghaire (Cork South Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

A lot of what is happening runs contrary to what the Government says it wants to do and what it says is needed, namely, taking the pressure off the acute system and investing in community care, home care and nursing homes. However, we see a cut in respect of new people getting home help. There has also been a cut to the number of transitional care beds and there are issues regarding potential capital projects as well. This is going to cause serious problems, and not only for nursing homes and patients. It is going to put further pressure on the acute system further up the chain. If these beds are not provided, a significant number of people will not be able to leave hospital to go into a transitional care bed and on into a nursing home. Investment in community care and community health facilities is being undermined and it is going to have a real impact.

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