Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)

I move amendment No. 1:

To delete all words after "Dáil Éireann" and substitute the following:

"— recognises the importance of addressing the needs of older people, particularly as our population ages;

— restates its policy of supporting older people who wish to continue living at home in the community for as long as possible and acknowledges the role families play in supporting their older relatives in the community;

— acknowledges the significant funding which this Government has committed to the nursing home subvention scheme and to the home help service;

— acknowledges the substantial progress made by this Government in expanding the income limits for the carer's allowance and in implementing significant increases in the value of the respite care grant for carers in line with its commitments in the Programme for Government;

— acknowledges the significant measures being taken by the Government to develop both residential and community based services for older people, including increased day care provision, and the continuing commitment in this regard;

— re-affirms that the primary role of the community employment scheme is that of an active labour market programme, and recognises the need for ongoing restructuring to ensure it continues to meet the specific needs of long-term unemployed persons, together with other vulnerable groups;

— in particular, approves the Government's commitment to put in place an increased level of service provision in line with the Programme for Government; and

— commends the actions taken by this Government and the previous Government since 1997 in meeting this commitment which includes the allocation of substantial additional funding.

I wish to share five minutes of my time with Deputy Sexton.

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