Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We never want to see a Leas Cross again. There is no compromise and I will be bringing in more regulation for HIQA later this year as part of the statutory home care scheme. I also agree with the Deputy that the State must take a more active role in the care of older people and I said so at the weekend. I think all the Deputies present agree with me on this. As they are aware, the care of older people is outsourced, with 80% private and voluntary - just under 4% is voluntary - and 20% provided by the State. We are supporting 22,500 people under the nursing home support scheme every year. That is a position that evolved over many years. I have had many conversations with the Minister on this and I would like to see the State becoming much more involved.

I agree on the strategic workforce advisory group. We put it in place to see if we could build capacity. I am looking forward to seeing how many permits are issued over the next couple of months. There are timelines on all that and I can come back to the Deputy again on it.

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