Labhrás Ó Murchú (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I, too, would like to compliment the Senators who tabled this motion. We all agree that this is not a debate about charity but a debate about our obligation as a people to those who built up our country, worked, paid their taxes and reared their families. Sometimes the wrong perception goes out because at times we seem not to value the worth of people because they have reached a certain age. It is quite easy in a debate like this to advance a set of statistics to prove or disprove a particular point. I would not want, in any way, to say we cannot give consideration to those statistics, which are important, but there is an attitude of mind that must be considered. Very often that attitude of mind permeates a lot of our discussion and communications. At times we think only of younger people, how they must be served and provided for, and rightly so. It is also important to have equality because we talk about equality in a democracy.

I do not know how many Members have had the opportunity of visiting a community daycare centre. I strongly recommend everyone should do so, particularly in rural Ireland. I can think of one centre that I visited in Kilmalley in County Clare which is a model in every sense of the word. There are many messages to be learned from the centre. The people who go there once a week spend the whole week in anticipation because they love it so much. When they go to the centre, they meet their neighbours, they reminisce and they encourage each other. The ladies can get their hair done and everyone has lunch there. All of that is part of the service provided. The message that I have learned is that when one has the right model and the right personnel in charge of any project relating to older people, then it will work.

Some Members will have had what I would regard as a very distressing experience of seeing an older person being brought to a nursing home. There are times when one cannot do anything about that but there are many occasions when it happens simply because parts of the structure that would enable people to remain at home and mobile are missing. I urge Members to always try to remember that the old person who has been placed in a nursing home feels deserted and that nobody loves or cares for them anymore. We must keep that in mind. I know cases where people get just one hour of home help during the day which is sufficient to keep them at home. It gives them a sense of independence, a sense of worth and the respect, to which they are entitled. As I said, we could all advance statistics but I am not going to do so in this particular case. However, I will say that increasing home help from one hour to two hours could make all the difference. We are not talking about hundreds of cases but about thousands. When a loved one wants to look after a parent and his or her home needs to be adapted, the pace at which the decision is made is important. If it takes too long to reach a decision, then the operation may fall apart entirely. As a result, the adaptation will not take place and the parent will end up in a nursing home.

We must admit that family structures have changed and are not what they were and people are out working. We must be cognisant of all of those types of issues. We are not going to be able to set the clock back but we need to move a little faster in our understanding that in the same way as communication has changed. For example, there is now social media and many old people are outside of such technology. I have even heard of old people who were able to drive a car but when roundabouts came into existence, they would no longer drive their car. That is how simple a change in lifestyle can affect older people. We often make those changes for the better but in most cases, without considering the impact that remains behind.

The media can also play a role. We often hear of great achievements by people being presented in the media. However, they are achievements that do not always press a button or set off the lights. I refer to the achievements of older people in their communities which I have seen in various committees and organisations. The organisations also play an important role. The GAA, Comhaltas Ceoltóirí Éireann, the Irish Country Women's Association and farmers, etc. are the bodies that keep in contact with the older people. I always recall the time when President Mary McAleese appealed to organisations to look out for older people. I heard the comment made by Senator O'Donnell earlier and agree with her 100% that if one leaves an animal unattended for a few days at home, one is likely to have an official visit. Very often we do not look out for older people in the same way. There was the dreadful case in Tipperary, which was published in the newspapers recently and which was absolutely mind-boggling. We need to look out for older people and bring back the community spirit that existed in the past. I urge people to look out for people when the weather is not good, etc.

I said I would not quote statistics as I do not think this is the time for political point scoring. In terms of what has to be achieved, I wonder in what way will what we have said here inform change and a response to the problems which exist.