Dáil debates

Wednesday, 9 September 2020

Mental Health and Older People: Statements

 

7:40 pm

Photo of Danny Healy-RaeDanny Healy-Rae (Kerry, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am glad to get the opportunity to talk on this important matter this evening. Elderly people have been massively impacted by this virus. All those months they had to isolate or, to use the new word, "cocoon" at home have changed their lives utterly and many will not be the same again. I was hurt recently when the Government suggested elderly people needed to be careful. One was not sure whether it was because they were going to give the virus or get it. I resented and rejected that comment by Government.

The people at home are one thing but the worst thing that happened regarding the virus was that elderly people died in nursing homes and hospitals on their own. That was the very worst part of the whole pandemic that hit this country. Elderly people like to have their families with them as they approach their last days, as has been traditional. This did not happen and I am very sorry about that. We saw on the television the other night cases of where elderly people died, were thrown into a body bag and put into a coffin while family members had to stand outside the graveyard. It was terrible.

On the first day the Taoiseach, Deputy Martin, took Leaders' Questions, I had the opportunity to ask the Taoiseach to ensure families could visit their elderly relatives in nursing homes and hospitals. I am sorry to say it is not happening and if it happens on a very rare occasion, someone is wheeled out to an emergency exit door or a hallway. The elderly person who is visiting has to stay outside, whatever the elements. That is not satisfactory and we need to develop some way that either the families are tested coming in or the person in the home or hospital is tested. We have to ensure that family members visit.

I have one question. Is a member of the National Public Health Emergency Team involved in producing test kits? We need to know that because the kits are a savage price and they are costing people undue-----

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