Verona Murphy (Wexford, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Tánaiste. I suppose I am asking the Government, the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste and the Minister of State, Deputy Butler, who I appreciate is doing her best and a very good job, to ensure that we do not wait until that review is complete to make good on delivery for carers. The Tánaiste was previously Minister for Health. All we are going to achieve, if we do not address this situation immediately, will be to drive people into residential care and nursing home settings, which would be the total opposite of what the scheme is intended for. I am talking about the Tánaiste's or my mother or father and people whose children are out working to contribute to the Exchequer and who are doing their best. The scheme was supposed to support those most in need. Our oldest and most vulnerable need the service.

There are several issues with the service. In Wexford, for instance, if a carer is available in Rosslare and care is required some distance in away in another district such as Enniscorthy, the policy is that they will not be asked to go there because it is not affordable. We have the money to deliver the hours and we need to use some of that money to make it affordable and make the carers available. We cannot continue like this.

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