Fergal Browne (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Seanad Éireann" and substitute the following:

"notes the Government's recent package for the elderly, recognising the need for improved community and home based supports and welcoming any improvements to services for the elderly;

condemns the Government for failing to:

—deal with the issue of repaying monies to elderly people who were illegally charged by the State for nursing home care;

—introduce proposals to introduce an independent inspectorate for private and public nursing homes, despite the fact that legislation governing this issue was promised by Government for autumn 2005;

—introduce proposals to ensure clarity on rights and entitlements to services for the elderly, including funding proposals for long-term care of the elderly, despite the fact that the Government promised to introduce legislation for both of these matters since the publication of the national health strategy in 2001;

—increase the nursing home subvention levels for people in nursing homes, which have remained static since 2001;

—adequately deal with the various housing problems faced by the elderly;

and calls on the Government to:

—deliver on the numerous promises made to the elderly community; and

—extend the national hygiene audit to all public and private nursing homes."

I welcome the Minister of State and his officials. When I first read the Government motion, I wondered how I could argue against it. After a time, however, it was easy to do so.

Although we welcome the package announced by the Minister, the first point I make is that the allocation is not €150 million but €110 million, because €40 million is allocated for 2007. This is typical Government spin whereby a package is announced but one then discovers it applies to more than one year.