Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The Tánaiste keeps spinning figures and statements at us when we raise this issue. The reality in the community is very different. When did the Tánaiste last speak to a home help woman who delivers the service? When did he last speak to an elderly person who requires the service and cannot get it? I have been doing both throughout west Cork for a lengthy period.

The results of my consultation with both demonstrates the shocking way in which they have been treated. Only a few weeks ago one home help woman who has spent many years delivering home help services told me no home help personnel would vote in the presidential election. I asked why and she told me it was because the political system had let them down year after year so badly. In the programme for Government discussions nearly three years ago, we spoke about having home help services on a Saturday and Sunday. A promise to deliver this was made but in west Cork, like the rest of the country, it is almost impossible to get a proper weekday service, never mind a service on Saturday and Sunday.

Will the Tánaiste promise the Dáil to work on taking the roll-out of this home help service out of the hands who have failed to deliver to the elderly and start getting the service delivered by those who can do it? I previously asked him to order a survey of home help personnel to give us feedback on how they are treated.

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