Liz McManus (Wicklow, Labour)

We cannot provide the basic provisions to allow her to do so. There is something fundamentally obscene and offensive about this inability to protect the vulnerable.

We must look at these types of yardsticks in seeking to measure Government performance and in assessing whether or not the forthcoming budget is fair. What is the impact on those who do not have the power of bankers or the influence of builders and developers? In one sense, such people are not even on the radar. The only power they have is that of their vote. They should have an important position in our society but instead they have been betrayed and denied in a despicable fashion. The forthcoming budget must be judged primarily by the yardstick of whether it ensures that those on the outside are supported.

Those who care for the elderly and disabled, including mothers with autistic children and people looking after spouses with Alzheimer's disease, came to Leinster House today to make their case and to express their deep disappointment at the Government's refusal to publish a national carer's strategy. It is a testament to their spirit that rather than whining ineffectively, they instead put forward an entire set of proposals that are cost neutral. I urge the Government to give those proposals serious consideration. For example, formal recognition of family carers would make a difference without involving any cost to the Exchequer. Another proposal was for a sharing of the carer's allowance where people are sharing caring duties on a part-time basis. Other simple and practical proposals include the introduction of appropriate quality standards and training for carers and the provision of a website. I hope they will be taken on board.

I welcome the introduction of the home energy efficiency scheme, for which an allocation of €50 million has been made by the Minister for Communications, Energy and Natural Resources. The significant and welcome interest in this scheme is evident from the 94,000 queries that have been logged by Sustainable Energy Ireland. While I appreciate that many people cannot afford to carry out the insulation work, even taking into account the grant, there are many others for whom this provision will be sufficient to allow them to proceed with the work that will reduce their own energy bills as well as reducing the national energy bill and providing construction jobs.

I listened with interest to hear whether the Minister, Deputy Ryan, would offer some commitment that funding for the scheme will be safeguarded for next year. He has observed on other occasions that interest in the scheme is growing and that an increased allocation may be required next year. I am not convinced he will able to deliver the funding required to carry this scheme through.

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