Richard O'Donoghue (Limerick County, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his comments earlier. All payments are welcome.

Recently, a new alliance for smaller nursing homes was set up. I think it counts 18 or 19 nursing homes and more than 1,000 patients. The alliance feels that the new payments coming out are still not adequate for the smaller nursing homes. If there are new, increased payments, the alliance would like the Government to look at the smaller nursing homes first and to see where the shortfall is. The larger nursing home businesses in the system can run a lot more smoothly per patient because of their size, whereas the smaller nursing homes - and I go back to point that we have heard either no complaints or only minute complaints - are the ones that are really suffering. The Minister might look at the smaller nursing homes.

The alliance met with the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, and told her of the smaller nursing homes' plight and the problems they are having keeping open. They told her of a nursing home that would close within a week unless there was an intervention. That nursing home has gone, and two more are looking at closing in the next two weeks because of the costs incurred. I ask the Minister to look at those nursing homes. I can give him personally a list of all the ones affected. If he would look at them, I would appreciate his help.

Nursing homes create a home for the people who are there, and the smaller nursing homes are a home away from home. I talk to people who own large nursing homes and smaller nursing homes. They tell me that the homely care in the smaller nursing home setting is better and that people there get better care. They are in an environment where they actually think they are at home. I ask the Minister to look at this.

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