Rónán Mullen (Independent)

I agree with Senator Norris. While I accept what the Minister of State said in regard to the issue of consent, that does not deal with the whole problem. It may be the case that there should be a requirement that the content of the care needs assessment report should be provided, subject to the consent of the person involved and to incorporate Senator Norris's concerns by including, "subject to the consent of the care representative".

There remains the separate issue that subject to that consent, there be a requirement as distinct from an option on the part of those who carry out the care needs assessment report, to provide the information to the relevant facility. In other words, it is a separate issue to consider moving from "may" to "shall". We must ensure that the report is provided, subject to the consent of the person who is the subject of the report.

We are trying to reach a situation in which the care regime demonstrably addresses previously identified needs. Apart from the issue of consent from the person in need of long-term residential care or his or her care representative, it should be more than optional for those who provide care.