Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

This goes back to the old slogan of "Health Cuts Hurt the Old, the Sick and the Handicapped." The people understand the Taoiseach is cutting back moneys allocated under a policy decision to help elderly people with nursing home charges. This morning many are concerned for elderly family members who might fall and break a limb, thus requiring nursing home care. These people may have to sell the family home to pay for that care. It does not matter to them that the Government has not been able to draft legislation.

Before Christmas, the Minister for Health and Children told the House she wanted nursing home legislation put through in three days. Since then there have been umpteen questions in the House on the state of the legislation with the same answer that it will be produced the following week. It will be 18 months before the Minister can introduce the legislation. Meanwhile, those people who need nursing home care now cannot put their lives on hold.

Out of the €110 million allocated, €85 million will go back into the maw of the Exchequer with only €12 million as a sop for increased subventions. Then there is the irony of an announcement of an extra 200 contract beds yesterday. The Minister's press release stated: "Sanction has now been received from the Department of Finance for the spending of €13 million from the fair deal provision of €110 million on 200 extra contract beds." That was announced last January. It is just a reheated announcement.

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