Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

How can the Government provide services to our senior citizens when it closes 555 beds in community nursing hospitals? What are these people going to do? Will the safety of older people be compromised?

Looking at the Government's proposals of today and yesterday, does the Taoiseach accept that more than 600 people will lose their home helps? Does he accept there are cuts of up to 10% on disability front-line services? Does he accept there will be a reduction of 7% in child protection services? Does he accept there will be fewer day care services, respite and personal assistants for people with disability and that there will be no increase in home care packages in 2012?

Are all these not front-line services? How can a health service be run without having the resources and the staff to provide the services?

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