Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

On the issue of symphysiotomy, I thank the three Ministers. That has been a commitment not only of the three Ministers but of the Department, and I believe we are getting very close to finding a solution for the entire body of women who have remained trenchant in their search for some resolution.

I have two questions. First, I ask the Minister for an update on the pending redundancy plans within the Health Service Executive. We appear to have gone quiet on them. I refer in particular to anecdotal evidence I have of someone who has been refused a redundancy package even though they have not yet applied for one and they are not front-line staff.

My second question is to the Minister of State, Deputy Lynch. I appreciate that the fair deal fund is for a particular purpose but we are talking about putting something like home care packages on a statutory footing to ensure that people who want to stay in their homes can be afforded that ability even if they have to pay for it in some way themselves. What is the Department's view of that?