Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

There is no chance the Taoiseach is taking the good Deputy Harney with him. I will dream on. One never knows. Today was a surprise and perhaps another one will present itself.

The Taoiseach will recall that one of the most important reports presented by the National Economic and Social Forum, NESF, in recent years focused on the care of older people. With regard to questions I asked the Taoiseach in the past as to what happens to reports presented by the NESF, he indicated these are referred to Departments and are taken on board. Specifically with regard to the report prepared on the care of older people, has it been presented to the appropriate Department and has it been taken on board? To what can the Taoiseach point in the recommendations of the NESF which has since been taken on board and either worked towards or implemented?

In particular, what is the position regarding the proposed fair deal scheme for subsidising nursing home care for older people? Is it the case, as has been reported, that this is now mired in constitutional difficulties and that the €110 million earmarked for its initial implementation and introduction has been diverted into other areas? Will the Taoiseach advise us what is the actual position with regard to the fair deal scheme at this point in time? When will we see the full detail of its essence brought before us? Is the Taoiseach aware that in November 2007, nine organisations flagged difficulties with regard to the fair deal proposals? Where does this stand? Like myself, a number of people on the Front Bench are heading towards the need for care for older people and it seems to be presenting some humour to them. I assure them this is not a humorous issue.

As the Taoiseach lumped so many questions together, I also wish to ask questions with regard to the incremental wage increases in Towards 2016. Given that they have not kept pace with inflation and the fact that the 0.5% additional increase for low-paid workers has proven derisory, is it the case that in future partnership engagement specific reference and attention will be paid to the needs of low-paid workers as against being lumped into wage agreements in general? Will particular attention be paid to the needs of low-paid workers, particularly as we are looking at more straitened economic circumstances presenting in the time ahead?

With regard to the promise that 90 labour inspectors would be delivered under Towards 2016, in reply to a recent parliamentary question from my colleague, Deputy Arthur Morgan, it was established from the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment that we would have 50 inspectors at the start of this year. How many are in place as we speak? When will the 90 promised under Towards 2016 be delivered?

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