Michael McCarthy (Labour)

An article in this morning's edition of The Irish Times deals with the cost of care for the elderly. According to a report initiated by the Department of Social and Family Affairs, the cost of providing nursing home care and home help for the elderly is set to jump by 60% over the next decade. That is a huge increase and should set off alarm bells. The report concludes that there is a compelling case for Government to finance long-term care for the elderly. I ask the Leader to arrange for the Minister to come to the House to debate the issue.

I ask the Leader if the Minister for Education and Science, Deputy Noel Dempsey, will be present in the House tonight for the Private Members' debate.