Aubrey McCarthy (Independent)

I raise the issue of end-of-life care and bereavement. Last week, I had the Irish Hospice Foundation come in to visit, and they reinforced the urgency of the work they do and the need for a compassionate, well-co-ordinated approach to end-of-life care and supporting individuals. I spoke a number of weeks ago in this House about a friend of mine, Jason, who was confined to hospital and wanted to die at home. After speaking here, the HSE intervened, and it is wonderful that he is now spending his last days with his family at home.

The recent end-of-life survey provided critical insights into realities faced by families across Ireland. It showed that cancer, dementia and heart conditions are the top common illnesses leading to death. Some 62% of people who die are aged 80 years and over. It shows that geriatric care and palliative care must be a huge, important part of our healthcare system. It also shows that where people die impacts the quality of their experience. Some 22% of people die in their home, and 24% of the whole survey expressed alarm that there was not co-ordinated care when it came to end of life.

Another issue that was brought up was the financial burden of funerals and bereavement in itself, which can give another layer of difficulty for families, with many people going into debt, and can cause real financial hardship. It showed that lower socioeconomic families that experience grief are spending a lot on funerals and going into debt, and that is impacting their futures.

I ask that we commit to delivering compassionate, comprehensive care and policies that uphold dignity and care for people at the end of their lives, and also those who are grieving for them.