Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I support Senator O'Meara's call for a debate on the care of the elderly and on child care, which I have asked for before. Specifically I am asking for a debate on the care of the elderly, which I believe has reached crisis point. Many hospital beds are occupied by elderly people who either cannot afford to go into nursing homes or the State is not caring for them in the manner in which it should or in the way in which we would aspire to care for them. That debate should focus on community care, particularly given that most health centres are not in a position to provide a home help to enable elderly people to stay in their homes. Will the Leader arrange a debate on this issue as soon as possible?