James Bannon (Fine Gael)

Every health board is conducting what the Government calls a review of health services but cutbacks are taking place as a result, particularly in regard to the home help service, an issue on which I have received numerous representations in the past month. There have been major cutbacks and we would be hypocritical, as Oireachtas Members, if we did not recognise this fact. The Minister for Health and Children should be invited to the House to engage in a serious debate about what is happening in this area. I have received representations from elderly and disabled people who are badly in need of home help in the midlands, about whom the Leader will be aware. Home helps have had their hours cut significantly in recent months to try to balance the books.