The tragic deaths of the four women in Leixlip, County Kildare in June 2000 was one of the saddest events which our society has experienced in recent times. May I at the outset tender my deepest sympathy to the womens' relatives and to the people of Leixlip who have been affected by this sad event.
In 1988 the report entitled "The Years Ahead – A Policy for the Elderly" was published and among its recommendations it stated that health boards maintain registers of elderly people at medical or social risk in their areas. The health boards have informed my Department that public health nurses maintain lists of vulnerable older people in their areas; in addition some boards have developed strategies to identify older people at risk.
The public health nurse plays a vital role in a multi-disciplinary team based approach to the delivery of health services to vulnerable groups in the community, including the elderly and ill and dependent people. This role extends to assessment of need, provision of support and a range of nursing services in the home, co-ordination of services and collaboration with other health professionals, hospitals and voluntary organisations.