Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

That is fair enough and the Minister should be given time to do that. However, Age Action Ireland stated it was inundated with distraught people. Only last week we extolled the virtue of a society that looks after elderly people and allows them to make a contribution.

The Minister also stated, and I agree with him, that many people would go home from hospital rather than go into care if appropriate home care packages were available. Are they available? My understanding is they are not and, therefore, this most vulnerable section of our society, when ill and infirm, is being put through greater difficulties than are necessary.

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