Results 1,181-1,200 of 20,459 for speaker:Frances Fitzgerald

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: We have discussed very important issues in this section on which we have not got full clarity. The question of the multidisciplinary team assessment is a critical one but it is not sufficiently addressed. There was no specific amendment on referring to the mental health of the individual but the Minister might consider it. On the naming of a social worker in regard to the multidisciplinary...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: No, it was not discussed but we are discussing the section and this subsection is in this section. The amendment I tabled was ruled out of order but I want to hear from the Minister the reason this section is in the Bill. It is reasonable, in discussing this section, to ask the Minister and her advisers for an explanation of subsection (11). What does it mean? Is it a type of general...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: May I clarify that once I am discussing a section I can discuss any subsection-----

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: -----even though it has been ruled out of order as an amendment? That is the reason I raise it under this section. I want to know why it is included, what it means and if there is any precedent for inserting a subsection that states the State does not have to provide any services, even if the care assessment indicates that such a service is needed. What is the legal advice that states that...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I spoke on section 7 and I await the Minister of State's response to the points made on amendment No. 11 to establish the general legal advice received.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: May I respond to the Minister?

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Minister of State spell out the implications? Earlier I called on the Minister of State to do so, but it also arises in this section because we are discussing care assessment. Will the Minister inform the House of the Government's understanding of resource capping and the meaning of it in the context of the Bill?

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Minister provide some information on the €55 million and how it will meet the need for the scheme and the need for places? What is the Department's estimate of the total required or of the numbers currently requiring care who would be eligible for the scheme?

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Will the Minister of State repeat that?

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: To what does the €909 million refer?

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I move amendment No. 18: In page 16, subsection (1), line 3, to delete "a suitable person" and substitute "an independent third party". The Bill gives very little scope for an independent review by a third party. The phrase "suitable person" occurs in the Bill and I propose that it be substituted with the words "an independent third party". The Bill should allow an independent third party...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: My concern is that it is a closed system. There appears to be no provision in the Bill for independent review. We propose that a financial review, for example, should be conducted by an independent third party so a fair and reliable estimate could be established in which both the applicant and the HSE could have faith. An important way of doing that is to insert independence into the...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: No.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: The Fine Gael amendment proposes that the percentage value accruing to the executive under this part should not exceed 15% of the estimated value established under section 10. This would be a protection for people and is in line with Government policy. As we have seen, there is huge volatility in the markets and in valuations and a person's individual circumstances could fluctuate...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I support the amendment. I refer, for example, to the OECD report on older people and transitions which pointed out how difficult the move into long-term care can be for individuals, that they may have significant difficulties communicating their needs, as Senator Norris stated, and that they may need to be helped in this process by an appropriately trained person, for example, a speech and...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: It is later.

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: I want to ask the Minister of State a number of questions on section 39 concerning transitional provisions. I suggest existing residents need clarity regarding what is proposed under section 39. It is very important that existing residents are not disadvantaged under the Bill. Do the provisions contained in this section mean the subvention rates for existing residents will not increase?...

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: Yes. I also asked if increases will be given to people if the cost of care goes up and if they would not be financially disadvantaged. Is that allowed within the scheme?

Seanad: Nursing Homes Support Scheme Bill 2008: Committee Stage (Resumed) (17 Jun 2009)

Frances Fitzgerald: What will happen to people who stay under this scheme? Will they not be effectively forced into the new scheme?