Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I refer to the issue of attendance in accident and emergency departments, which was raised by a number of colleagues. That is one issue but collection of attendance fees is another. My understanding is more than €2 million still has not been collected for 2013. This matter should be dealt with and it is important to get a response from the Minister regarding what action is being taken to make sure people who use accident and emergency departments pay the fees for which they are liable.

Senator O'Brien mentioned elderly care, which is becoming a bigger issue. Significant long-term planning is needed. We have been going on the basis of year to year management but 20,000 more people will reach the aged of 65 annually from now on and, therefore, our elderly population will continue to increase. More than 22,000 are in the fair deal scheme and even if the Government wanted to retain the same ratio, an additional 4,000 beds would be needed by 2021. While we need a debate on this, we also need a five year and a ten year plan to deal with this issue, including increasing the number of home care package that can be provided. That needs to be prioritised.

I welcome the comments by the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, this morning in the House. She confirmed she would do everything possible to have a representative of both the nursing homes and GPs on the emergency task force which was set up to deal with the overcrowding in accident and emergency departments. They are two key components and they are currently not represented on the task force. It goes to prove that tabling Commencement matters and having Ministers come to the House brings results. I welcome the Minister of State's decision and I hope it is implemented at an early date. We need to have a debate on the issue of care of the elderly.