Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

The Minister for Health and Children has stated new applications will be dealt with, which is to be welcomed, and that the problem was that the HSE had used the €100 million for other purposes. For its part, the HSE has stated the total budget available to it for providing long-term residential care has always been and will continue to be used exclusively for the care of older people resident in nursing homes. It is seeking clarity on the Minister's statement and there is a report that it has not begun to process new applications. There is, therefore, a contradictory and confused picture. Mar a dúirt mé lenár gcara, tá seo ag cur a lán brú ar dhaoine agus tá a lán acu iontach buartha faoi seo. Tá gá le freagraí soiléire ag na daoine sin. Does the Taoiseach agree that it is extremely worrying that €100 million could be used for purposes for which it had not been allocated? Just as important, if the money is spent, how will it be replaced and does this mean there will be cutbacks in other areas of the health care system?

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