FG slams lack of legislation on nursing home inspections

01/02/2006 - 08:20:09
Fine Gael has attacked the Government over its failure to introduce legislation providing for the inspection of Irish nursing homes.

The attack was launched in the Dáil last night during a debate on a Fine Gael private members' motion calling for the introduction of a stringent inspection regime.

Speaking during the debate, Fine Gael TD Fergus O'Dowd said many nursing homes were providing an appalling level of care, but the Government had done nothing to address the situation.

Junior Health Minister Sean Power subsequently admitted that the introduction of an inspection regime had been slow, but he said the Department of Health was committed to bringing in legislation on the matter.