Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I have a few questions myself. A point was made about the domiciliary care allowance that the age limit be raised from 16 to 18 years. As that has not happened, it is still just a proposal. I recall it did not happen because of political pressure. Have the witnesses consulted their members on the issue? Is it promoted to make it possible for the Minister to introduce that reform because that is a factor when it comes to budgets? There was much pressure on Government Deputies and Senators in respect of the cut to the respite care grant. The Minister had an enormous challenge to take €1.5 billion out of the social protection budget and still keep the social protection system intact. Compared with other countries that have experienced the same difficulties as Ireland, the Minister has done quite a good job in that area.