Madam, - When watching last week's RTÉ Prime Time programme about nursing homes, I was amazed at the similarities between the childcare industry and the nursing home industry.
Both industries are expanding so quickly that having adequate capacity has taken precedence over quality control. Both are subsidised by tax incentives, so everyone's tax relief provides extra profit for owners. Prices for both have increased more rapidly than costs in the past 10 years.
Both are very loosely regulated - the 1996 childcare regulations were watered down under pressure from the childcare providers. Health inspectors are overstretched, carrying out visits once every one or two years and often giving notice before they call.
As regards childcare, there is no parents' association and nowhere to complain about individual operators.
In summary, we have a subsidised sector that is allowed to operate with very little regulation. We are biologically conditioned to care more about our young than our elders, so in effect the law of the jungle ensures that we protect our young better than our elders. - Yours, etc,
NEIL KENEALY,
Park View Avenue,
Harold's Cross,
Dublin 6.
****
Madam, - People are rightly outraged by events at the Leas Cross Nursing Home. However, those of us who have ever cared for elderly relatives living in nursing homes, know that the only way to ensure that they are well, safe and happy is by regular visits. If you do visit nursing homes regularly you will know that visitors are in pretty short supply. Have we forgotten that we as families do have a duty to our elderly?
I think a word must be said about the Little Sisters of the Poor and the Nazareth Nuns, who for many years have looked after the elderly so well, with such dedication and commitment. How unfortunate for us that they are so few now. - Yours, etc,
DERVILA McDONALD,
Fancourt Heights,
Balbriggan,
Co Dublin.