Results 1,321-1,340 of 1,979 for speaker:Nicky McFadden

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

Nicky McFadden: I support the amendments. It is important to have people who are independent of the Executive. That is the bottom line. They are people who would not have a vested interest. Given that old people are vulnerable and, perhaps, have assets, it is crucial there is somebody involved who is independent.

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

Nicky McFadden: There is also the concept of the HSE having so much control over elderly people. These people will contribute 15% of their estate but nothing is outlined regarding what they will get for that money. Let us not forget that the HSE is responsible for many debacles under Professor Drumm. One matter that comes to mind is the €50 million he was short in his budget a couple of weeks ago....

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

Nicky McFadden: I understand what the Minister of State is saying. However, the other side of this is a situation where a person may have regressed and need a review, and be sent to an even higher dependency unit. It is something that also needs to be discussed. This is a very good amendment. An assessment or review is always a good thing.

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

Nicky McFadden: This is another cop-out.

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

Nicky McFadden: I tried to raise this issue earlier because we were going round in circles and having a good discussion on what all in this Chamber believe in, namely, the holistic care of people. Then we read the Bill and find that the HSE, the Department of Finance and the Government are completely reneging on their responsibilities to look after the elderly. The Bill states: "Where a care needs...

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

Nicky McFadden: I support the amendment. A multidisciplinary team is the only way to proceed. Each individual is different and, therefore, has different needs. This is especially the case for elderly men in rural areas, for example, who need support from a professional such as a social worker and this position has been argued by my colleague in the Dáil. I believe it is necessary to have a service from...

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

Nicky McFadden: Subsection 7(6) states that a care needs assessment of a person shall comprise an evaluation of a list of several aspects of a person's needs. The list consists of physical needs. The subsection refers to the provision of "medical, health and personal social services" but I cannot see a mention of mental health. As my colleague has said, we must be concerned with the whole person and not...

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

Nicky McFadden: I share the concerns of Senator Mullen, Senator Fitzgerald and the other Senators on this side of the House. The phrase "any combination thereof" must be outlined more clearly. This is about the person's mental state, their happiness and how they will live the rest of their lives. As Senator Mullen said, a contribution from the person's estate will pay for this service. This is not just...

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

Nicky McFadden: The Minister of State used the term "cognitive ability" in response to the issue I raised about the mental health needs of the elderly. Cognitive ability does not necessarily cover mental health. I refer specifically to people with depression or psychosis and those who may be psychiatrically unwell. None of these areas is covered in the evaluation. Subsection (6) sets out that the...

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

Nicky McFadden: Hear, hear.

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

Nicky McFadden: While I accept that the Minister of State aims to include a holistic approach to the care of the person, I do not understand why she will not include the phrase "mental health" as well. I ask her to consider including that phrase. She has spelt out all the other physical needs of the person and it would be important to include the phrase, the "mental health" of the individual.

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

Nicky McFadden: In all these amendments we have been discussing the needs of the person. While neither the Minister of State nor we have not spelt it out, it seems extraordinary we have not included it.

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

Nicky McFadden: I move amendment No. 14: In page 13, subsection (7), line 36, after "or" to insert "a social worker or".

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

Nicky McFadden: I hear where Senator Ross is coming from.

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

Nicky McFadden: I read this differently. In my experience of elderly people, if they are in the system and are well cared for on a long-term basis it gives them great security, and their families are free from anxiety. I hear the point Senator Norris is making, namely, that it is almost a sentence for life and one never gets out. I am interested to hear what the Minister of State has to say.

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

Nicky McFadden: Yes.

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

Nicky McFadden: This is absolutely outrageous.

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

Nicky McFadden: On a point of order, amendment No. 16 is the crux of the whole debate we are having today.

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

Nicky McFadden: We are speaking about issues concerning mental health, the needs of individuals-----

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

Nicky McFadden: ------the Executive will provide for the provision of any service identified-----