Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I will answer the Deputy's question. I will not instruct the Minister for Social Protection until such time as Ms Ita Mangan, the chairperson of the advisory group on social welfare and taxation, reviews this position in so far as domiciliary care is concerned. This affects children under the age of 16 years. It is that cohort, which is very specific and sensitive, that is at the centre of this.

This Government produced a budget yesterday to take out €3.8 billion. This is a sensitive issue with a known number of children. The Government has agreed that this should be reviewed by the chairperson of the advisory group in the knowledge that it is sensitive and is a cause of concern to parents and to the young people affected. I do not look for any credit and never would in politics, but it is an indication that Government does not get everything right all of the time. There is an issue of great sensitivity which we are reviewing on the basis of the number of children affected.

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