Pat Moylan (Fianna Fail)

The Minister of State, Deputy Sean Power, is in the House to put through legislation which will enable charges to be imposed in a proper and legal fashion. The Minister has offered to pay back some money to the elderly people involved. It must be remembered that many of these people owned property worth hundreds of thousands of euros which will be left to their next-of-kin when they die. Many are in long-stay institutions and are happy to be cared for in institutions by doctors and nursing staff.

From some contributions to the debate, one would think elderly people were not being cared for, and that we were ripping them off and selling their property. This was not and is not the case. If the country wants to look after the health care of those in long-stay institutions, the Government is entitled to some compensation from those who use the service, even those with medical cards. Many elderly people have told me that while they are giving back 25% of their pension, their accommodation is like a hotel and everything they want is given to them. These are the facts.

Many Acts have been found to be defective and have been updated through new legislation. This case is similar. Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats would not be known as parties that rip-off the people. We have done more for the poor and needy in our society-——