James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Very serious concerns have been expressed to me in recent days by individuals who look after elderly persons in their homes with regard to the closure of six of the 22 centres of the National Carers Association. Two of these centres are in the midlands, one in Longford and the other in Roscommon. I ask the Leader to invite the Minister for Health and Children to the House to explain the situation regarding cutbacks in this important area. As the six centres are due to close on 17 November, a debate on the matter is urgently required.