Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise the following issue of national importance, namely, the recent announcement that the home help hours across the country will be reduced to 7.5 hours per week. A home help will be able to spend no more than ten minutes getting an old person out of bed and dressed in the morning, and 15 minutes assisting him or her in showering. This is totally unrealistic and it will mean that many elderly people will not be properly catered for. These measures are mean and unjustified for the many elderly who need a lifeline into the community. They are the most needy and vulnerable group in our society and what the Minister is proposing is inhuman. In a time of recession, this Government, between the Green Party and Fianna Fáil, can justify another ministerial salary for a directly elected mayor, while many people are struggling to live their daily lives.

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