As the Taoiseach is aware, it is policy on all sides of the House that people who are elderly or ill and need care should be allowed to live in and enjoy the comfort of their own homes, insofar as possible. Despite this, there are thousands of people in nursing homes in this country, funded under the fair deal scheme at huge cost to the taxpayer, who would prefer to be living at home with their families and whose families would prefer them to be at home. This is not possible because we do not have a proper statutory system of home care. There is a definite commitment in the programme for Government to introduce such a scheme. Has work commenced on the preparation of this extremely urgent legislation? When can we expect to see it?

In the last few seconds remaining to me, I will follow on from the question asked by the previous Deputy. I, too, have a particular problem with a maternity hospital in my constituency which is flagrantly disobeying the directive of the Minister for Health. I will be in touch with the Taoiseach about that.

I thank the Deputy for the issue he has raised. I know he is a long-time advocate for statutory home care. There is a commitment to do that and I will revert to the Deputy with an update on the progression of that legislation.

Through the Minister for Health, the HSE and its CEO, we have given very clear direction on what should happen in maternity hospitals around partners being allowed in for all the scans and for births. That also applies in respect of Limerick.