Mary Henry (Independent)

The Minister's commitment to older people is well recognised. From that point of view, I can do nothing but applaud what she is trying to achieve. I am sure the establishment of the commission is worthwhile but I am concerned about what will happen to the recommendations of the commission. We get report after report but very little action. The major scandal with regard to Leas Cross was not just what happened at the nursing home but also the fact that, two years before RTE's "Prime Time" programme went to the home, a very critical report on Leas Cross was sent to what was then part of the health board but it was not acted on. It is the lack of action on reports that is the real problem.

In our consideration of nursing homes, we must recognise that running costs are enormous. It is now estimated it costs well over €1,000 per week to keep a long-term resident in a nursing home in an urban area.

On a final point, in recent days a coroner's case in Sligo highlighted the danger that exists in transferring people between one medical institution and another if it is not absolutely certain all medical and nursing records are sent with the patient. I suggest the transfer of patients between St. Ita's and other nursing homes was not monitored to the extent it should have been. We must hope this will happen in the future.