John Crown (Independent) | Oireachtas source

Go raibh maith agat an tAire agus fáilte arís. I thank the Minister of State for her reply and I am grateful for the attention paid to the matter.

I ask her to convey three messages. First, please examine the medical card issue. I know that she will do so because I respect her word on the matter. Second, there must be some assessment of the adequacy of the arrangements that are in place for providing long-term care for the patients who sadly reach a very advanced stage of neurological deterioration that requires professional institutionalised care so can no longer can be cared for in the home. We must establish whether it is appropriate that they are assessed in the same way as everyone else who enters nursing home care. Third, we must consider establishing a national strategy for chronic neurodegenerative care. I thank the Minister of State.