Garret Kelleher (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Gabhaim buíochas leis an Aire Stáit, an Teachta O’Donnell, as ucht teacht isteach chun buaileadh linn chun na hábhair thábhachtacha seo mar gheall ar chúram tacaíochta agus seirbhísí níos láidre a chur ar fáil do dhaoine aosta. Cuirimid go léir fíorfháilte roimhe.

It was Mahatma Gandhi who said the true measure of a society is how it treats its most vulnerable. That point was made by a previous speaker. At a time of budgetary surpluses and relative economic prosperity it is incumbent upon us to ensure that we do everything we can to support elderly people and their families to the very best of our ability.

I remember being in primary school in the late 1980s and early 1990s when I learned that the life expectancy of Irish women was around 72 years and Irish men was perhaps slightly less at 71. It is now not uncommon for older citizens to live well into their 90s and beyond, and we must make adequate provision to ensure that policies and supports adapt accordingly.

As has been alluded to by Senators Kyne, Rabbitte and Murphy O'Mahony, we must address some of the issues that exist in the nursing home sector. The disparities that exist between HSE nursing homes and private and voluntary nursing homes are something that must be addressed. For example, a disparity in pay exists between professionals. There is a need to recognise the qualifications of healthcare assistants as well as to recognise them as healthcare professionals in multidisciplinary teams that are looking after the elderly.

Also in the case of nursing homes, we must address the disadvantage for residents when it comes to accessing services and supports such as physiotherapy, etc. That is something we need to look at.

Loneliness is something that has been referenced by a number of speakers in this debate. It is very important. I remember listening with interest during the course of the pandemic to the contributions that were made by the likes of Dr. Rónán Collins, who spoke about social isolation during the pandemic. That is not something that is unique to the years of the pandemic and we must look to act in that regard. It would be a positive move to seek to include the likes of experts such as Dr. Collins, who was a candidate for election to this Chamber on one of the university panels, to ensure that we improve services and that this aspect of elderly care is not overlooked.

Reference was made to Tidy Towns organisations. I am a member of a Tidy Towns organisation in my community. We are very much reliant on older people. We have volunteers in excess of 90 years of age who are actively working. The contribution they make to the likes of Tidy Towns organisations, men's sheds and women's sheds was mentioned.