Dan Neville (Limerick West, Fine Gael)

The Minister of State should reconsider this matter when the Bill is before the Seanad and make firmer commitments. Dragging out the affair will induce stress among people who are at a certain stage of their lives and families who must react to the people owed money.

This money rightfully belongs to the residents of the homes, not the Government. I accept that the Government will allocate €400 million this year, but it is not the Government's money. It was illegally deducted from the residents and the Minister of State should put a time limit on its repayment.

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