Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister. It is, in fairness, a very comprehensive reply, but I think it is important when the Law Reform Commission produces a report that we take on board the recommendations. This is going back to December 2011 which is three years ago at this stage. Part of that was the legislative process.

Everyone is well aware of the need for long-term planning. We are going to go from having 585,000 people over 65 at the moment to over 990,000 by 2030. The provision of home care is going to be even more important because it will no longer be physically possible to provide the current level of support in nursing homes. The draft Bill provides that each person who requires home care provision would have a clear home care plan in place. We need to make sure it is not just about what is happening today but what is going to be happening in the next ten to 15 years. It is in that light that I have tabled this Adjournment matter and drafted the legislation. I thank the Minister for the very comprehensive reply and ask that my views on this matter would be taken on board as regards future legislation.