David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I have met with the campaign group and many of the affected families. They are very sore about this. They said that nurses were sent to families to assess their support needs but no supports ever came. That is the problem. There has been a commitment to an inquiry which has still not been established. I heard the Minister say he wants to get it right. Those affected also want to get it right but they need some sort of timeframe for when it will happen. Solid commitments were given in respect of community care, as the Minister has outlined. Nurses sat down with patients and assessed their needs but those patients simply have not received supports. Commitments and promises were made in respect of medical cards and a whole range of medical supports. It is a sore point for them that while they are still waiting for word on when the inquiry will be established, their healthcare needs have not yet been met. It is great that nurses are engaging with these individuals but it does not suit anybody if there is nothing coming out the other end, the HSE is stating it does not have the resources and there is a blame game going on. The situation needs to be resolved.

See this speech in context