James Bannon (Fine Gael)

I will take note of it. Politicians living their lives to the full did not do anything to make an impact on the conditions and lifestyles of these disadvantaged people. It does not take much to notice that the Minister continues to party while these people make up the shortfall.

Society's most vulnerable are paying for the Government's wasteful mismanagement of the economy, which has led to the funding in the budget for essential community projects – such as day care services for the elderly who, in many cases, are effectively confined to their homes – being slashed. Shame on the Government parties – Fianna Fáil and the Progressive Democrats – which are not willing to take on the real issues of elderly and disabled people living in inaccessible or inappropriate surroundings.

We cannot tolerate blatant discrimination against our elderly and disabled citizens. Exchequer shortfalls are not the problem of these people and should not be rectified at their expense. It is time that the Government stopped expecting the disadvantaged to bear the brunt of its mismanagement. It is a tragedy that there are considerable shortfalls in funding for essential repairs and disabled persons grants, which add to the lengthy waiting lists for nursing home subvention. I raised this issue three weeks ago and on the Order of Business last week.