Barry Cowen (Laois-Offaly, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister for his response but he has merely restated what I said about the current situation. It is another example of what the Minister might agree was a flawed health budget this year. The question is how the Minister will address the issue I outlined, among others.

It is easy to acknowledge the current deficiency and inefficiency that exists. The Minister said it is the Government’s prerogative to allow people to remain in their home for as long as possible. That is most laudable and I support it wholeheartedly. If the Minister meant what he said and if he wants it to carry any weight and show he can be different from the Ministers who have preceded him, he will acknowledge what I said. For example, 70 people are waiting to have their homes adapted in order for them to stay at home and live longer in their homes. The cost of that is approximately €1.5 million. The Minister is standing idly by while the Department of the Environment, Community and Local Government allows a local authority to inform such people they will have to wait three years to five years before their applications can even be fully assessed. The Minister must then carry the can. If they were to apply for the fair deal scheme, the Minister would be obliged to pay €18.5 million to provide care. We all know the majority of the applicants would be in the cemetery before the five years is up. Those are the facts of the matter. That is the bottom line. No amount of glossing over figures and saying the sum of €23 million was diverted here, there or elsewhere will cover up what is happening. The change has not made an impact because the money has not followed the patient, as per the mantra of the Minister’s predecessor.

Will the Minister address this in a real and meaningful way, looking at basic, obvious, black and white issues? If so, we can work together to alleviate difficulties in this and other areas.

See this speech in context