Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach very much agrees with me, but agreeing with me and doing something about the matter are altogether different. The Taoiseach is aware that the entire system of care in the community is very closely linked to the issue of bed capacity. He said that himself. Another important strand concerns the carers. Statistics provided by the Central Statistics Office, CSO, for Tipperary show carers provide a staggering 250,000 hours of care per week. The findings also record that 7,041 people stated they provided regular unpaid personal help to a friend or family member with a long-term illness, health problem or disability. What is deeply alarming is that the Central Statistics Office found there were 138 carers under the age of 15 in County Tipperary. That is very worrying and I want to be reassured it will be investigated. The carers in question are being forced into these circumstances because of the lack of home care packages. This is directly linked to the first question.

The Taoiseach mentioned the 40-bed unit. We were promised that two winters ago. The Taoiseach said the project is under way. It is not, unless I am blind. The planning permission has not even been finalised for the project, never mind being under way. The spin machine is spinning in the wrong direction. It is jumping ahead of itself. The project is not under way. We are waiting for it, we are looking for it, and it is badly needed. Two winters ago, we were promised it. We will probably face another winter without it. We have promises and spin but no action. It is not fair to the staff or patients.

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