Results 1,661-1,680 of 2,099 for speaker:Ivor Callely

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

Ivor Callely: The Minister of State is probably aware that the families of people in long-stay care can come under immense pressure with regard to the level of subvention being paid. Section 30(7) states that a person other than the Executive may not request a review of a determination relating to a financial assessment unless 12 months have elapsed since the date of the initial financial assessment....

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

Ivor Callely: Perhaps the Minister will outline how the system will work from the time the person goes into care with regard to the level of contribution and the physical means whereby that contribution is made. We are aware of the current system and the subvention application form. We know how the assessment takes place in the nursing home section and about the appeals process, which is separate. I...

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

Ivor Callely: On notification of death or discharge of a person provided with financial support, I note that the nursing home proprietor is requested to give notice in writing to the executive not later than three working days after such event. While I think I know the answer, on what basis is this request being made?

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

Ivor Callely: A nursing home proprietor would provide a bed for perhaps three, five or seven years and we give him or her three days after the death. Has this been discussed with service providers and are they satisfied with a three-day cut-off? It strikes me as being a short period. I do not want to put the Minister of State on the spot but I would ask that she discuss the issue with the nursing home...

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

Ivor Callely: I would just make the point.

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

Ivor Callely: As I stated, a bed may be occupied for three, five or seven years. There is also a bond between the proprietor of a nursing home and the people involved in the provision of the services to the individual, and there is a mourning process in which they are involved. On providing for this cutting of the tie three days later, we should be more sensitive to those providing the service and a...

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

Ivor Callely: We are running through this quickly. Is there any part of these sections where we seek disclosure of information on the financial aspects of the nursing homes? There are no sections where we seek disclosure.

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

Ivor Callely: What section is it in? We are going through the sections very fast.

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

Ivor Callely: In light of the this section and the transitional arrangements, we are constantly referring to a two tier system and the anomalies that exist within it. Is this section accommodating anomalies? Of two people in very similar financial circumstances, could one who is currently in receipt of a public bed in a long stay institution without paying any contribution continue to enjoy that facility...

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

Ivor Callely: It strikes me we may be accommodating anomalies and creating a two-tier system.

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

Ivor Callely: Perhaps the Minister of State will undertake to consider the matter which I have brought to her attention, namely, the anomalies that exist and will continue to exist under the new scheme. We are seeking to ensure fairness but the anomaly I have outlined exists. Perhaps the Minister of State will address the matter for Report Stage.

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

Ivor Callely: I can understand why one would seek this type of disclosure when drafting legislation. Progress has been made over several years on achieving parity between the voluntary, private and public sectors in the provision of services. As a former health board member, I was aware of demands that the private and voluntary sectors should provide higher levels of service. I felt somewhat...

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

Ivor Callely: I asked the Minister about the assessment by the National Treatment Purchase Fund in regard to the provision of the public bed. We are bringing in legislation that we say will be better than what exists, fairer and so on but I have a serious "bogey" with this aspect. Regardless of what is said on the floor of this House, and I do not know how an official of the NTPF may use this measure...

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

Ivor Callely: I have a serious difficulty in that the Minister has not quite answered how the HSE will obtain a public bed and the records or accounts it may be able to assess of the public facility. I appreciate what the Minister is saying. Nobody, including nursing home proprietors, would be unwilling to sign up to value for money. That is not an issue but an issue arises in terms of inserting in...

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

Ivor Callely: There is nothing the nursing home proprietors would fear in terms of their accounts but it does not seem to be fair that the private nursing home around the corner is not required to meet the same criteria as the public operator. We have come a long way in the past decade in bringing parity to the provision of these auxiliary services and facilities but this appears to be a step backwards....

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

Ivor Callely: That is correct.

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

Ivor Callely: The Minister of State has indicated I can resubmit, but that is not what I asked her. I asked her to consult her departmental officials and indicate to us tonight that she would be prepared to reconsider this section. I will make a suggestion to her. I am aware the HSE's various service providers provide annual reports which are normally laid before the House. The wording refers to "the...

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

Ivor Callely: Nobody is denying that.

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

Ivor Callely: Before moving forward, is there any indication from the Minister of State which might be helpful?

Seanad: Order of Business (18 Jun 2009)

Ivor Callely: I take this opportunity to congratulate the Minister for Transport on organising National Bike Week, which I hope will be a tremendous success. I encourage everybody to cycle a little more this week. That follows the previous speaker's comments about the absence of the Green Party Members. This measure was done by a Fianna Fáil Minister.