Seanad debates

Wednesday, 16 November 2022

Private Nursing Home Sector: Statements

 

10:30 am

Photo of Rónán MullenRónán Mullen (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I am delighted to give clarity. I was referring to neglecting the financial needs. By funding one sector advantageously compared with the other, then by definition that is neglecting the financial needs of the lesser funded sector. I am not accusing anybody of neglecting people at a personal level. However, there are consequences to under-funding and there is a funding issue around nursing home care. Looking at the figures another way, the HSE nursing homes receive an average fee per resident that is 60% above that payable to private and voluntary counterparts.

My family experience is that we were fortunate to be able to care for my late father at home and that was very important to us. We benefited hugely from the support of private nursing home care when it came to respite care, where my father was tenderly cared for. I do not speak out of any vested interest other than the interest of personal experience and the observation of what is available to people.

That is the core point. I am conscious that I have run out of time but I ask the Minister of State to continue to consider that funding for nursing homes is not just a matter of treating every patient equally in terms of the envelope of money that is made available by the State. It is also about supporting and protecting community-based facilities in our country for everybody's benefit.

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