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

I thank Sinn Féin for this highly relevant motion on an issue we are all concerned about. Elderly people have a natural desire to stay in their homes as long as they can. It would surely benefit the State if they could be treated and minded in their homes as they should be. Many elderly people have a fear of going into a nursing home or a long-stay hospital bed because they fear it is the departure lounge they are going into. They dread that.

There is humanity in people. I have had several people call me to say they have been allocated home help but there is nobody coming out. Family members are also ringing. They are doing their best to keep their elderly relatives at home. I have suggested asking these new arrivals into our country from Ukraine or wherever. People with cars and those with good English should be enticed or at least asked. God damn it but they have two hands, two legs and a head like we do.

I worry when elderly people go into hospital and family members cannot go into see them, as has happened. It broke my heart during Covid-19. People died alone in nursing homes and hospitals while their relatives could not go in. I can honestly say that some of them died of hunger because there was nobody to spoon the food into their mouths. That actually happened and I know it. If I am driven to it, I will tell where it happened. I only talk about what I know about. Do not impose restrictions on family members going into hospitals or nursing homes any more, for any reason.

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