Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

The Taoiseach said there would be no cuts. If that is the case, why are three young mothers from Carlow taking legal proceedings against the Department of Social Protection on foot of its decision to stop the domiciliary care allowance, DCA? Is the Taoiseach aware that Helen Fahy, Lorraine Ryan and Aimee Doogue, who are mothers of autistic children, had their DCA stopped in the past two months? They have lost their carer's allowance of €58 per week. What does he say to those families in the context of there being no cuts? One of those children has severe social impairment, challenging behaviour, speech delay, is a flight risk without constant supervision, is not toilet trained and has a significant destructive sleep pattern. The Government is now cutting the child's carer's allowance by €58 per week following a review. Will the Government challenge those three families in the courts? How many millions of euro of taxpayers' money will be wasted on fighting those families in the courts and attacking those people who just want a simple, decent service?

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