Pat Gallagher (Donegal, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I came to this House in 1981. Today I want to raise one of the most serious issues since that time, that of home help hours. I know the Deputy leaders raised it but I am focusing on my county. The number of people waiting has gone up from 161 in January to 226. When the director general of the HSE was appointed, he said he was going to wipe out the deficit. That meant he would wipe it out at the expense of the old, the weak and the vulnerable. I know the Tánaiste said earlier that more money is going into it. That is no good to the people I represent, such as the 94 year old and the 92 year old in Donegal who were approved 20 weeks ago but have still not had their care hours implemented. I ask the Tánaiste not to tell us that there will be money in the budget. Something has to be done quickly. I suggest that people now have to die before their neighbours are allocated home help hours. I hope I am wrong. I ask the Government not to let that happen during our watch, when there are billions of euro available in the country. Let us look after those who helped to build up our country over the years. I am extremely concerned about all of these cases. Could the Tánaiste at least suggest to the relevant Minister that he should meet with interested Deputies during the course of next week, budget or no budget?

See this speech in context