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Dáil
‹ Ceisteanna ar Pholasaí nó ar Reachtaíocht - Questions on Policy or Legislation

Nursing home providers remarks

Summary

Deputy Browne objected to the Minister for Health describing nursing home operators as “mom and pop” providers and asked for an apology. Minister Butler said the Government had supported nursing home providers, but the specific apology request was not answered.

We had the nursing home providers in here last week. In my view, the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, insulted and belittled them with his patronising remarks when he called them "mom and pop" providers. These are professionally run homes by these families. The Minister had some cheek. Like I said, these are professional owners. They are nursing home operators and have been for decades now. They contacted me during the week and told me how belittled and insulted they felt by the Minister's remarks when he called them "mom and pop" operators. Will the Taoiseach, when he stops having a conversation, or the Minister, Deputy Stephen Donnelly, make an apology to these families for the remarks that were made last week?

Comment on this

I thank the Deputy for his question. As he knows, I was at the Private Members' business debate last week, which the Government supported. We will continue to support nursing home providers the length and breadth of the country.

Comment on this

I did not ask that. I asked whether the Taoiseach or Minister will make an apology for calling them "mom and pop" operators.

Comment on this