Catherine Byrne (Dublin South Central, Fine Gael)

I seek the adjournment of the Dáil under standing order 32 to raise an issue of national importance, namely, the cuts to home help services throughout the State which are having a devastating impact on elderly people who need help in their own home so they can continue to live independently. Services in my own area of Inchicore, Ballyfermot and Bluebell have been cut back dramatically. This cannot continue. The Minister for Health and Children must act immediately to allocate badly needed funding to this service. More than 200 people in my area are on waiting lists. Yesterday the Garda Commissioner, Mr. Fachtna Murphy, launched the Garda Síochána's older people strategy.

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