Maria McCormack (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I pay my respects to former Senator and councillor Larry Butler, a respected local figure. Many who knew him, including all political colleagues and local residents, tell us he was a complete gentleman who was kind and always ready to help. Our thoughts are with his family and colleagues in Fianna Fáil.

I also pay my respects to a young man named Evan Power from Portarlington in County Laois who sadly passed away unexpectedly. Evan was a fantastic advocate for disability rights, a member of our local branch of the Irish Wheelchair Association and a regular visitor to Leinster House. Ar dheis Dé go raibh a anam.

Today, I again raise the issue of nursing homes. Last year, "RTÉ Investigates" revealed issues in an Emeis nursing home in Laois highlighting the undignified and unsafe practices that were putting residents' lives at risk. Another facility in Laois has been highlighted since last year, namely, Droimnin Nursing Home in Stradbally. Its HIQA inspections showed it was non-compliant with eight regulations and only compliant with two. Last September, an application was made to have its licence cancelled. Finally, a couple of weeks ago, the judge cancelled Droimnin Nursing Home's licence on the grounds that the lives and welfare of residents were at risk and the HSE took over operations and management from 2 p.m. that day. I welcome the HSE's involvement here. It brought peace of mind to residents and their families by ensuring continuity of care. However, I would like to point out that if the HSE ran more nursing homes in the first place and if the State stopped relying so heavily on the private care sector, we would not be in this mess. I would like to see the HSE arrangement at Droimnin made permanent. The State must play a bigger role in providing nursing home care because privatisation has not worked out. I would also like us to invite the Minister for Health to the Seanad for an update on what action has been taken since the serious concerns were raised last year because much of them concern my constituency and many people were very alarmed by what they saw. We need to know what measures are in place to prevent further harm and distress to nursing home residents and their families.