Mr. Eamonn Timmins:

If we could be guaranteed the services, if people's needs were met by the services, it would take away the need for people to buy them privately. It is a chicken and egg situation. If I am in good health but on a low income, the income is more important to me. If I am on a low income and in poor health, if I could be guaranteed another hour of home help it would make a huge difference to my life, but am I going to get that? Certainly from an older person's perspective, what we hear about is the anxiety of what is going to be lost next. People who have reached a stage of their life where they are dependent on the State for certain services and income supports find they are in doubt and in question. That is the big issue - this constant anxiety as to what is going to go next. What can I actually depend on to live with a bit of dignity?