Joint Committee on Disability Matters, 24th June 2021

Opening Statement from the Ombudsman, Mr Peter Tyndall, on “Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in nursing homes”

Cathaoirleach and members of the Committee, thank you for the invitation to come here today to discuss my recently published report “Wasted Lives: Time for a better future for younger people in nursing homes”. 

Many Deputies and Senators here today will have had first-hand experience of the work of the Office of the Ombudsman but before I provide an overview of the findings of this investigation, I hope you don’t mind indulging me a moment to set out how my office works and why I felt compelled to use my powers, as Ombudsman, to initiate a systemic investigation into the current situation for people under 65 living in nursing homes. Let me also say from the outset that this report is not a criticism of nursing homes. It is instead about the inappropriateness of nursing homes as accommodation for the people concerned.

Role of Ombudsman

As Ombudsman I consider complaints from users of our public services who believe they have suffered an injustice as a consequence of maladministration by a public service provider. In determining such complaints, I examine the decision from the perspectives of legality and compliance, as well as fairness and good administration. Earlier this month I published my 2020 Annual Report which set out that over 3,400 complaints were received by my office last year.  Each one of these complaints was examined thoroughly in a fair, independent and impartial way.  Each one of these complaints came from a person who had a story.  Part of my work as Ombudsman is ensuring that the voices of people which might otherwise be ignored can be heard. 

Some individuals, and their stories, are particularly moving and shine a light on issues of such significance to the system and how our public services work, that they need particular consideration.

It was four such complaints which came to my attention and were the catalyst for the Wasted Lives Report.  The situation of these four individuals was very similar in many ways, and they all were able to articulate in their own words how inappropriate and unfair it was for them to have no option other than to remain in a nursing home.  However, for each of these cases the system seemed to be constructed in a way that made it seem nearly impossible for their circumstances to change. 

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