Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

With respect, this amendment represents damn little solace and comfort for anybody. It is the absolute minimum that is required. To defer reassessments for 12 months or more is probably as much in the interests of departmental officials, who may otherwise be caught in an administrative nightmare, as it will be of benefit to those in receipt of subventions. One can hardly imagine it will be possible to review every subvention case determined within a 12 month period.

The reality is that the imposition of a timeframe for reassessment will be of marginal import. It may be useful in providing an opportunity for a healing or cooling-off period. Can the Minister of State be unaware of the difficulties involved for families in placing a parent in nursing home care? I am in my tenth year as a Member of this House and was a councillor for many years before that. In that time, I have seen that the stress involved can be both traumatic and problematic for families. Many are forced to go through a difficult internal family negotiation in determining the respective contribution of each member towards the overall assessed cost, with or without subvention.

This often leads to dispute and rancour. I am aware of many cases where family rifts occur that may never be healed. This is unfair and unnecessary. These are ordinary human beings already having to contend with so much in their own lives, and perhaps with a limited appreciation of the challenges and difficulties each must face.

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