Tom Hayes (Tipperary South, Fine Gael)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for affording me the opportunity of raising this very important issue. It is somewhat related to the issue raised by Deputy Breen but concerns payments. This scheme was hailed as being great and in theory it could be. However, the reality is that it is not working. Regardless of whether we like it, there are significant issues, and I am only speaking for south Tipperary, where many constituents have come to me about the delay in payment.

These people, some of whom are on very low incomes, are frustrated and may have to borrow money from credit unions or seek supplementary welfare sources in order to keep going. They have to pay for services that should be provided by the HSE. There is a second issue concerning people in hospitals and accident and emergency departments who are being held up as a result of payments not going through. Down the line such people cannot get into nursing homes.

There are significant delays causing desperate concern to those in the system. I spoke to a medic recently who said the fair deal scheme is causing chaos in the health service. The Government must deal with the issues arising from that. Deputies trying to help their constituents have the difficulty of officials in the HSE who are not even prepared to answer our questions. The matter should be examined.

A small portion of the population, some 4%, requires nursing home care and we should look after these people, who made a commitment to society through the years. Some of them are at the end of their days and others are very ill as a result of sickness which may have struck them down. The current position is unfair and having such a non-functioning scheme is a poor response from any government or Minister. We were promised the sun, moon and stars when the scheme was first announced. It was spoken about for many years but although we are assessing people, no payment is being made in many cases. I hope the Minister of State will have something relevant in his response. It is a desperate issue for many people.

See this speech in context