Geraldine Feeney (Fianna Fail)

I support the calls for a debate on services for older people. In doing so I congratulate those involved with the "Prime Time" programme for the special report broadcast last night by which I was very moved. What was shown was nothing short of disgraceful. One would have to be made of stone not to be moved in seeing a young man who has been struck down and crossed the oceans of the world sitting with his wife and crying in front of a television camera, frustrated that his wife cannot get a home help to help him. I agree with Senator Alex White; at times the HSE is an obstruction to what is right. It is cold and uncaring. If an older person who has a home help breaks a limb and goes into hospital, he or she can return home having been placed on a waiting list for a home help because the service does not automatically resume. What type of a system are we running that allows this to happen?

It was highlighted last night - I did not realise this - that there was no charter for older people. This is a disgrace. Older and younger people are some of the most vulnerable in society. There should, therefore, be a charter for older people.

I know men act as carers, but for me what the programme broadcast last night highlighted was that it was middle aged to elderly women who cared for their loved ones. However, they are physically not able to do what needs to be done. What really struck me was that they wanted to keep their loved ones at home. The minimum cost of nursing home care is €3,500 to €4,000 a month. If we could establish a pilot scheme, even in County Kildare, the area of the Minister of State with responsibility for older people, Deputy Áine Brady, and run it for nine or 12 months, we could see how it would work. I am sure it would be much cheaper and people would be much happier if they had proper resources available. The current situation cannot be allowed to continue.