Daly calls on Minister Power to protect the elderly -22-10-06

Despite another litany of promises, the Government has failed to follow
through with action to police standards in nursing homes, according to Fine
Gael General Election candidate, Cllr Richard Daly.

“If the test of any Government is how it cares for the elderly, the Fianna
Fáil/PD administration is a miserable failure and I am calling on Minister
Power to come to the assistance of this most vulnerable sector of our
community,” said Cllr Daly.

“Last May’s Prime Time Special highlighted the appalling treatment of
elderly residents at Leas Cross Nursing Home.

“Last June, the Government promised new law to allow for an independent
inspectorate, better enforcement and new national standards. It would also
allow the authorities to close a nursing home.

“Eighteen months on, little has improved, there is no new law, no national
standards, and very patchy enforcement.

“Last week, Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny read into the Dáil record some of
the findings of Professor, O’Neill who wrote the report on deaths at Leas
Cross.

“The findings were shocking and again highlighted the failure of the
inspection regime to police standards in nursing homes.

“Despite all their promise the Government has failed to follow through with
effective action and Minister Power as a Junior Minister in Health is in a
very strong position to be part of the solution.

“It is failing to deliver on a tough new nursing home inspectorate, despite
making 12 separate commitments to do so.

“The Bill setting up a new independent agency will not be published until
next year.

“Constantly long-fingering laws to ensure that Leas Cross never happens
again is one of the most searing indictments of the Government's attitude,”
said Cllr Daly.