Carol Nolan (Laois-Offaly, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Taoiseach for his response. Not enough new nursing homes are opening to meet the capacity demands that are coming down the tracks. We are all aware that Ireland has an ageing population. That is a fact and a reality we need to plan for and be prepared for. However, people have serious, genuine and well-founded concerns. The fact is that Government policy, the policy decision to lift the ban, has pitted one vulnerable group against another vulnerable group in society, which is wrong. These beds must be safeguarded and I would like to know what measures the Government will put in place to ensure there is capacity in the future. We must plan now to ensure there is capacity to meet an emergency. This is an emergency coming down the tracks. We need an emergency response. We need a pragmatic solution that does not include a dangerous policy that pits one vulnerable group against another vulnerable group.

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