Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)

We have been advised that a sum of €110 million was set aside specifically for the introduction of the fair deal scheme and that it has been diverted. Will the Minister of State be specific and tell us if, indeed, that €110 million has been diverted and, if so, to what purpose? Has she taken the required steps to ensure it is specific to the needs of older people or is it the case that it is part ring-fenced and safe for the specific purpose for which it was intended? Will she accept that Deputies will be concerned because the HSE has demonstrated a skill at diverting moneys from their intended purpose to other uses?

Is the Minister of State aware that in November 2007, nine organisations dealing with the needs of older people came together and represented the real concerns of senior citizens at the lack of clarity in the fair deal proposals? Given that is the case and that they have further highlighted the erosion of the State's responsibility to provide public nursing home facilities and supports for access to same, as a matter of right and entitlement for every citizen who requires that service in later life, is it the case, as has been suggested, that the difficulties with the fair deal proposals that are currently being considered by the Attorney General are all in that area in terms of a demands——

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