Jan O'Sullivan (Limerick East, Labour)

I do not want to quibble with the Minister of State, but we met representatives of the Senior Citizens Parliament yesterday and they said they had not had any meaningful consultation, as have a number of other organisations. They wish to discuss with the Government their real concerns about the legislation and, in particular, their concerns about its effect on the family home. They are also concerned about the possibility of pressure being put on elderly people to sign over resources to other family members. This is a real worry to people at that stage of their lives, when security, their possessions and their family homes are important to them. There is concern about the effect of this legislation from this point of view. What is the nature of the consultation the Minister has had with these organisations? Was there an opportunity for them to engage directly, express their concerns and discuss how they might be addressed in the wording of the Bill?

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