Results 741-760 of 1,022,488 for in 'Dáil debates' OR in 'Committee meetings' speaker:Michael McDowell

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

James Breen: There is a popular saying that our young people are our future. We have to ask how much respect and dignity does the Government afford to the elderly. Some 11% of the State's population is over 65 years of age. Why do so many problems exist in regard to the care and well-being of the sick and elderly? The Government tells us on a daily and weekly basis about the millions of euro spent on...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Paddy McHugh: After the 1997 election the Fianna Fáil and Progressive Democrats parties published a joint programme for Government, An Action Programme for the Millennium. No doubt they viewed this as an exciting event. It is always good to use words like "action"; it creates the illusion of movement and progress. The document states: Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats in Government recognise that...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Dan Boyle: I regret that the Tánaiste is not present in the Chamber and that no member of her parliamentary party has chosen to listen to the debate. I hope they take the opportunity to properly respond. The Tánaiste's recent statement moved the Independent Members of the Technical Group to table this motion. Her explanations to date on the context of her statements are far short of what is required....

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Trevor Sargent: Credit is due to the Independent Members of the Technical Group for tabling this motion. It reminds one of Mahatma Ghandi when he said that the greatness of a nation is to be judged by the way it treats its most vulnerable. When one meets elderly people while canvassing, the issues that arise are often repeated. They include security, vulnerability, isolation, and money for heat, light and...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin: Ar son Teachtaí Shinn Féin, ba mhaith liom tacú leis an rún in ainmna dTeachtaí Neamhspléacha. Is ceist fíor-thábhachtach é cúram na sean-daoine agus is cinnte gur theip ar an Rialtas seo cúram ceart a chur ar fáil do an-chuid daoine aosta atá ina n-aonar agus atá i mbochtanas sa tír seo. On behalf of the Sinn Féin Deputies, I support the motion on the care of the elderly in...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Ivor Callely: I move amendment No. 1: To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following: "— recognises the importance of addressing the needs of older people, particularly as our population ages; — restates its policy of supporting older people who wish to continue living at home in the community for as long as possible and acknowledges the role families play in supporting their...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Carey: Is that agreed? Agreed.

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Ivor Callely: I am pleased to have an opportunity to speak on issues related to the provision of services for older people and to outline what this Government is doing to meet the needs which have been identified for this population group. Older people represent a core priority of this Fianna Fáil-led Administration. We have delivered record increases in pensions and secondary benefits. There has also...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

James Breen: Not everywhere.

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Ivor Callely: The significant progress that has been made in the growth of funding available for this sector in recent years, is indicative of the Government's commitment to the ongoing development of health-funded services for older people. One of the great achievements of western societies in the 20th century has been the increase in life expectancy. As the standard of living for the young and middle...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Pat Carey: The Minister of State, without interruption.

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Ivor Callely: Community supports are vital in order to maintain older people in their own homes for as long as possible. Long-stay nursing care should only be a last option in care planning for older people, with the community supports acting as a real support for older people who wish to live in dignity and independence in their own communities. Numerous studies have highlighted the fact that older people...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Paudge Connolly: There are no occupational therapists.

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Ivor Callely: Other areas that the group will consider include public transport, support to carers and financial incentives to encourage older people to continue working. It will also review the various schemes currently in operation. To date, the group has met on 22 occasions. Different Departments have made contributions to the group's work, including the Departments of Social and Family Affairs,...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Paudge Connolly: There are empty public beds in Monaghan hospital.

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Ivor Callely: The Eastern Regional Health Authority and the Southern Health Board areas are particularly affected because of a lack of public long-term care beds. This was acknowledged when the Department was preparing the health strategy. There is a commitment in the strategy to provide 1,370 additional beds, plus 600 additional day hospital beds. In addition, the strategy proposed the provision of an...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Paudge Connolly: They will need staff to run them.

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Ivor Callely: When detailing the breakdown of additional expenditure for services for older people, I mentioned the commencement of the elder abuse programme. I will outline to the House in some detail what this entails. The publication of the report, Protecting Our Future, towards the end of 2002 — I only took office in July, received the report in November and immediately endorsed proceeding with it...

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

John Cregan: Hear, hear.

Care of the Elderly: Motion. (3 Feb 2004)

Michael Ring: There are 25,000 places gone.