Gerry Adams (Louth, Sinn Fein)

Chuir mé ceist ar an Taoiseach inné faoi daoine aosta agus an fair deal. Ba mhaith liom ceist eile faoi sin a chur inniu. Yesterday, when I asked about the fair deal scheme the Taoiseach informed me that applications for approval under the fair deal scheme will continue to be processed and accepted and I welcomed this. Last night, the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, in answer to Deputy Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin, stated that decisions to grant approval will be subject to the availability of funding. For its part, the HSE maintains that approvals are not being given. The HSE has informed us that the computer system for processing applications has been shut down by it since 16 May. This flies in the face of what the Dáil was informed yesterday. Yesterday, I asked the Taoiseach to clear up the confusion and concern for the elderly people and their families and I accepted what the Taoiseach stated in good faith. People are being prevented from taking up vacant nursing home places. They cannot get final approval and are being given 24 hour, seven day care by their families or friends and others are on hospital beds in an already hard-pressed hospital system.

People watching seek assurance from the Taoiseach that he will ensure this scheme is recommenced immediately. There must be clarity but the answer given by the Taoiseach yesterday did not clear up the confusion nor did the other responses given. People are still scared and deeply distressed and they need clear assurance from the Government.

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