James Breen (Clare, Independent)

There is a popular saying that our young people are our future. We have to ask how much respect and dignity does the Government afford to the elderly. Some 11% of the State's population is over 65 years of age. Why do so many problems exist in regard to the care and well-being of the sick and elderly? The Government tells us on a daily and weekly basis about the millions of euro spent on social welfare. Given such great expenditure, we must examine if our money has been squandered or spent unwisely.

I wish to acknowledge the financial help given under the capital assistance scheme to provide secure housing for the elderly, but it does not absolve all responsibility for the care of elderly people, the pillars of our communities. Frequently the burden of caring for an elderly person falls on one or more of his or her immediate family members. Such care often takes place in the home of the elderly person. Elderly people can become lonely and feel unwanted, as if they are a burden on society and their offspring. This robs them of their dignity.

There is a knock-on effect on carers, who become discouraged, lonely, angry and depressed due to the treatment they receive from this Government. Does the work they carry out not merit a wage? Carers on low incomes who satisfy a means test and provide full-time care to an incapacitated person may qualify for the carer's allowance while those providing care to more than one person may be entitled to an additional 50% of the maximum rate of carer's allowance each week. However, all carers should be entitled to an allowance and this should not be subject to a means test. It is time to abolish this system.

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs has failed miserably to introduce a fair system whereby the most vulnerable in our society have proper care and attention. Day care centres around the country ensure that the elderly are well looked after, feel part of a community, have interests, are fed and get medication and essential services. However, there are not enough centres. Why is the Government not putting more resources into this type of care? The Government wants us to acknowledge measures taken in residential and community-based care, as well as day care. However, these measures pale in comparison to what is required.

In my county of Clare, a few highly successful day care centres are in operation and another centre is due to open soon in Kilmaley. Questions must be asked of the Government about one of the centres. The management of the Clarecastle day care centre took the initiative and raised money for the provision of a dementia unit to be attached to the centre. This unit is in limbo, while the bureaucracy of the Government and the health boards gets into full swing to look for more money to provide this facility six miles down the road. Why are the wishes of the elderly not being considered? Those attending the unit in Clarecastle are happy with it and would prefer to receive their treatment there, as would the people who contributed their time, effort and money towards raising €200,000.

I wish to draw the Minister of State's attention to the village initiated by my colleague Deputy Cowley. Why has such a system not been extended throughout the country? It allows the elderly who are able to take care of themselves currently living in seclusion to be housed in a community with a day care facility until they pass away. When they become vacant the houses provided revert back into the system and are used to house others in a similar situation.

It is time for the Government to afford some respect and dignity to the elderly of this country. It is also time that the resources, be they people or infrastructure, are put in place so that people can live out their days in a peaceful, fulfilled and dignified manner. Measures are all well and good but how far they go is the issue on which the Government will be judged. As far as I am concerned these measures are not enough.

Will the Tánaiste come into the House to explain her remarks about the elderly which she made on television some weeks ago? It was a slur on the elderly to ask their families to pay more money so that facilities can be provided. The Government has failed the elderly, the most vulnerable in society. When the Minister of State responds, I ask him to explain what the Tánaiste meant by her remarks.

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