Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)

As I mentioned earlier, control measures for combating fraud are a serious issue which I have prioritised. I am not suggesting for one moment that fraud is behind this issue but older people in long-term residential care are not entitled to the household benefits or the living alone allowance. We do not have a system where there is an automatic notification from the nursing homes, although we have our own measures, even by way of investigating where usage is very low or non-existent with regard to electricity, for example. We may be able to terminate household benefits in such an event. We may also contact families in writing, etc.

It is a good idea for us to have a greater connection between nursing homes and ourselves. I do not propose to accept the amendment because it is looking for a report, although I am aware that is the mechanism which must be used. The idea behind it is a good one and I will investigate over the next few months how we can have a greater relationship with nursing homes and how they may notify us of issues.