Bernard Durkan (Kildare North, Fine Gael)

I read everything. The Minister of State should not be concerned. I also read that which he may not want me to read.

Another concern is that those who need care have already worked for 45 or in some cases 50 years. They paid PRSI and huge sums in interest at times when interest rates were excessively high and reached levels of 22% or 23%. They struggled through all that and bought their houses. Now the Minister for Finance, the Revenue Commissioners and the accompanying gurus state that if those people require carers, they will face a severe means test to make the system as stringent as possible. Grants and tax incentives are available to build nursing homes but to enter one is much more difficult. If a carer is not available or the person does not pass the means test and must enter a nursing home, those now in need of care and support must sell the houses they worked and strove for, paid tax on and struggled to keep. How dare their families suggest they should qualify, despite the fact their parents worked all their lives and shed blood sweat and tears during the most difficult times in this economy. After all that, they are thanked and told they must sell their houses which will be taken and distributed to others.

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