Michael McNamara (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Kelly and the Labour Party for this very timely motion which I have no hesitation whatsoever in supporting. There has been a lot of focus of late on the necessity of moving elderly people out of acute hospitals, it is a pity there is not the same focus on keeping elderly people out of acute hospitals. The last tie we had such a focus on moving elderly people out of acute hospitals was when we were trying to push them out, notwithstanding the fact they were bringing Covid-19 into nursing homes with them. I really think the HSE and the Department should carry out an inquiry into that, because there are a lot of deaths that need to be accounted for, and second, focus on that a little but and on keeping elderly people out of nursing homes and ensure they have a place to go which is not a nursing home and which is their home.

I do not doubt the Minister of State's personal commitment to this. We sat in a studio in RTÉ. Does the Minister of State remember that place? I have no doubt about her personal commitment, but I doubt she is making any advances on those commitments because it is backwards we are going. It is backwards the Government, which the Minister of State is a junior Minister in, is going with regard to home help.

I do not understand how she could disagree with these measures that the Labour Party has called for. I would add, of course, the necessity to look at social welfare and to ensure that is not a disincentive and there is not a cliff edge with regard to benefits for people who want to work in home care.

Lastly, I notice that heads of Bill are being drafted and regulations will be drafted.

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