Lorraine Clifford Lee (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Before I ask a few questions I would like to make some brief comments. Ms Linnane spoke about a mobile app to gauge usage and that it would be accessible to everyone. I am not so sure that it would be, because having a smart phone is a privilege at the moment and not many people can afford to have that.

The medical need issue was brought up and we spoke about a robust appeals process, but people who are in the situation where they have a medical need and who are fighting the system to try to get medical cards and other supports do not need to engage in another process to get something as vital as water supplied to them. I would have particular concerns about that.

To echo some comments made by my colleague, Deputy Lahart, in relation to grandparents providing child care, that is something that I encounter quite a bit on the doors and pensioners were terrified that they would have to start turning away two, three or four grandchildren that they are looking after on a daily basis to help their struggling sons and daughters out. I also came across many people who have homeless relatives who do not have access to washing facilities and are letting them come in every couple of days to use their washing machine. That would not be captured. The homeless situation is not going to be resolved any time soon, so that is-----