John Clendennen (Offaly, Fine Gael)

I thank the Minister of State. The future and provision of care as to how a parent's or guardian's loved ones will be looked after, particularly after they have passed, is something that keeps people up at night. The appointment of decision-making capacity and assistance with it is important, but there needs to be an element of understanding that the next of kin, where there is one, is given the opportunity to assist in that regard. What we do in the present will give a sense of confidence as to what will happen in the future. One issue that has been raised with me frequently in recent times is the wait times for assessment and delays in applications for people who are already in a healthcare setting, particularly where someone is in a residential care setting for the elderly, but may be of a younger age and may not need a facility to that extent, and are not stimulated or motivated by it. We need to ensure that we are giving confidence to loved ones within families in that regard to ensure their more vulnerable family members are being adequately looked after.

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