Damien English (Meath, Fine Gael)

Many elderly people live in houses in the country which are worth over €300,000 and yet we have decided that anything above this figure should be assessed. Where did these figures come from? Can we not produce figures which reflect reality? The sum of €300,000 is sufficient to purchase a site in most areas. I accept that prices are different in other areas of the country, such as the west, but prices should be adjusted to match different areas. An allowance of €500,000 is made for Dublin but this figure would not buy a person much in the city, particularly in light of the fact that many elderly people live in homes worth over €500,000 in inner Dublin. We should be realistic when we address this issue. Perhaps when a Bill comes before the House, its framers might tell us the truth and address real life because this would go down better and save us from being forced to constantly argue with them. The public wonders what planet Members live on when they read about some of our debates, the figures we quote and the way in which we congratulate ourselves on the great work we do for elderly people. We do not carry out great work for elderly people. Most elderly people do not have the option of remaining in their own homes and we are failing those who wish to do so.

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