Mae Sexton (Longford-Roscommon, Progressive Democrats)

We have used the fruits of our tremendous economic success to increase incomes and services for older people. The old age pension has been increased by 60% over the past five years whereas the increase under the previous Government was less than a paltry €10 per week. A Progressive Democrats-Fianna Fáil Government introduced every initiative on carers. The carer's allowance was introduced in 1990, carer's benefit in October 2000 and respite care grants in 1999. We have consistently increased carer's allowance by 76% since 1997. In three budgets, a Labour Party Minister for Finance managed an increase of €13. Is that commitment to the elderly? There are 14,000 paid home help assistants costing €110 million per annum to support elderly persons who wish to remain at home. Nursing home subvention will exceed €110 million this year.

Focus should be on the provision of more support in the community, and that is the approach the Government is adopting. The senior citizens of the State want dignity, independence and choice. There is a broad consensus among reasonable people that a partnership between the State and family is the best way to meet the needs of older people who require long-term care. No one, least of all the Tánaiste, has suggested that all families should pay more for care or that the State has no responsibility in this area. However, she has spoken out for older people who are abandoned by relatives who then expect to inherit those older people's assets. While these are the minority of cases, every health care professional in this field will confirm that they exist. It is a problem which is swept under the carpet. While it is difficult to make rules and policies to address the issue, the least we can do in the meantime is speak out against unfair and uncaring behaviour.

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