Brendan Howlin (Wexford, Labour) | Oireachtas source

Six months ago RTE first broadcast the "We Need to Talk about Dad" programme and it was aired again last night. Anybody who watched RTE would have been struck by Mr. Brendan Courtney's struggle to care for his dad, Frank, after he was left paralysed by a stroke. The family had to battle to try to get the resources needed to allow him stay in his own home. I and others raised this when the programme was first broadcast six months ago and the Taoiseach's predecessor stated the best option for the future might be a statutory home care scheme, with consultation having to take place on that. Six months on, we have not even seen the beginnings of the consultation. Where is the statutory home care scheme that was supposed to replicate the support scheme for families in the fair deal scheme? While I am standing, I ask about the Leech case I mentioned last week and whether the Taoiseach has had the chance to look at the letter I sent to him.

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