Brian Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail)

As the Deputy knows, the Department of Health and Children has a large legislative workload. The House has been awaiting the introduction of the fair deal scheme, which is a matter of priority, for some time. The heads of the Bill referred to by the Deputy were agreed last month. It is obvious that work is continuing on the detailed drafting of the Bill. I cannot give a date for when it will be taken. I cannot say what level of priority is being given to it at the moment.

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