Pa Daly (Kerry, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I also congratulate Deputy Tully on all her work in bringing this motion forward. I want to raise two issues. The first is an urgent matter regarding the lump-sum payments arising out of the budget. It is my understanding that those in receipt of the partial capacity benefit will not receive the lump sum of €500, which has been announced for carers, those with invalidity pensions and disability allowances. This is very unfair, given that the people in receipt of this benefit are in many cases, by definition, moderately, severely or profoundly restricted. It makes no sense given that people in receipt of carer's support grant or disability allowance are able to work and will get the lump sum, as will families on the working family payment, but it appears that those on partial capacity benefit will not be able to claim the working family payment. This is a very vulnerable cohort, and, according to contacts within the Department, they seem to be losing out. This matter must be resolved as soon as possible.

The other issue I would like to raise is the case of Alexis O'Mahony from Killarney. I have raised it here previously. This is my third or fourth time raising it. Alexis O'Mahony is a six-year old girl who lives in Killarney. She has a number of conditions and injuries. She needs constant care from her family, which includes constant turning and daily washing to avoid bed sores. This takes a tremendous physical toll on her family. A ceiling hoist would be of great assistance to the family. They applied for the grant from the local authority. However, nothing has happened, other than the Department's fiddling. The Government's policy changed and while the structural works needed for the hoist are covered by the local authority, the equipment for the ceiling track hoist is not covered. It is a matter of dispute as to who exactly is responsible for the funding and providing the equipment between the Department of Health and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. I do not care whose responsibility it is, but someone must sort this out as soon as possible. The budget has been given to those who need it the most, but it is not happening with Alexis O'Mahony. The family has been repeatedly in contact with the Department, yet no resolution is forthcoming. I have raised the matter four times. I ask the Minister to intervene and sort the matter out.

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