Colm Burke (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State and thank her for taking a proactive approach to elderly care and keeping people at home for as long as possible. That is very important. One of the problems in this area, particularly in 2004, was a reactive approach to elderly care rather than a proactive approach. The Maud McInerney case in 1978 set out clear guidelines on certain issues, yet there was no response from the Department for a further 26 years. This is the time to plan not only for the next five years but also for the next 20 years. The report presented today is constructive and takes into account the views of the organisations that represent the elderly.

I refer to the issue of home care and the need for regulation in that area. The Law Reform Commission has produced a report and has suggested a way forward. Is there a timeline in regard to taking on board that report? It is not something that can be pushed down the road for action at a later date. People are living longer, as many speakers have said, and the number of people over the age of 65 is continuing to grow each year. It is an issue on which there is a need for forward planning. What are the views of the Minister of State on the Law Reform Commission report in that area?