Frank Feighan (Fine Gael)

Senator Cox outlined the lack of consultation regarding Health Service Executive areas. People now receive enhanced nursing home subventions. The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children should come to the House to explain a recent piece of correspondence I received which stated that from 20 November 2005, new eligible applicants will receive nursing home subventions but will not receive enhanced subventions. These people will be put on a waiting list pending the relaxation of budgetary restraints. This is a mean and sickening policy which is a further attack on elderly people in this country.