Maurice Cummins (Fine Gael)

On Monday night I was in my mother's home with my brother helping her into bed as we normally do. Although she is 88 and barely healthy enough to live independently at home, thank God she is doing so. My brother and I went into the living room and watched the television until she settled down and went to sleep. I was appalled as was everybody who saw the programme. The practices we saw during the programme were disgusting, degrading and dangerous. We would all ask whether these practices are also going on in other nursing homes. While we can all say we believe the vast majority of nursing homes are excellent, we have very little proof.

At a minimum we immediately need to establish an independent inspectorate to investigate all nursing homes on a regular basis. At present, reports are only given to the owners of premises after inspection. This practice must change so residents in such homes and their families also get a copy of the report. I hope we will urgently introduce legislation prior to the summer break. It does not require rocket science to amend the Health (Nursing Homes) Act to introduce the provisions required to assist our elderly population. These are the people who put so much into the country and helped create the Celtic tiger.