Camillus Glynn (Fianna Fail)

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Hoctor, to the House and to compliment her on being reappointed as a Minister of State. I welcome the opportunity to speak on the subject of the elderly. In my former profession I had a lot of dealings with the elderly. I agree with much of what Senator Prendergast said as she also has a background of knowledge in this area.

I have always been a strong proponent of community care. I agree with the view that care of the elderly in their own home, wherever possible, is infinitely preferable to hospital care. I have spoken about this matter in the House on other occasions and I know I have incurred the ire of some people. The truth may hurt but so be it. When old and not so old people are placed in care, they can often be forgotten about, although not in all cases. After yearning to go home, an institutional malaise sets in which is called institutionalisation. This is because, of necessity, they must adapt themselves to their surroundings and they make new friends. Many of the people we are talking about, if not all of them, built up this country. They paid their taxes and dues and it is now society's responsibility, especially of their own relatives, to ensure wherever possible that they are cared for in an appropriate setting, preferably the home.

Day care centres contribute greatly to the care of the elderly and we have one such centre in Mullingar. I have already spoken to the Minister of State about day care centres that have closed for a number of weeks during the year. I take the view that they should not close at all. In many cases people come from remote rural areas and the only people they interact with are those they meet in the day care centres. I hope that, if possible, St. Mary's day care centre in Mullingar will be kept open all year because it is providing a pivotal service to those who avail of it. People come from as far away as Castletown, Finea, Castlepollard, Collinstown and Delvin in north Westmeath, as well as places south of Mullingar.

Elderly people in care should be visited as often as possible, but regretfully that is not the case. In a former professional practice, I had much experience of working in the community and carrying out domiciliary visits to my clients. They would say: "Nurse, it's great to see you. I have not spoken to anybody since I last saw you". It is not a very nice thing to hear but that is the situation in some cases. We are fortunate in Mullingar to have a retirement club. When it was set up they checked the numbers and found that it comprised 1,428 members, so it is now called the 1428 Club. The club organises trips, including one that I sponsored to Leinster House. I am sure other Members of the Oireachtas from County Westmeath have done likewise. Such visitors are always welcome. Retirement clubs provide a marvellous service for older people.

I encountered a very fine model in London when my brother-in-law's mother was in care there. It is a two-storey facility with younger people upstairs and the elderly downstairs. It works very well but I do not have time to develop the point because I note that the Leas-Chathaoirleach has shown me the yellow card. I had better sit down before I get the red card.