David Norris (Independent)

We debated the matter last night but there was a related point I could not raise because it concerned the Department of Health and Children. Could we have a debate on health? Could the Leader raise with the Minister for Health and Children the fact that the Government now proposes to take most of the disability allowance from those with a mental disability who are staying in residential homes? This is just like what caused the scandal over nursing home charges.

At the weekend, the Government promised a great splurge of benefits and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs in his speech last night outlined all the Government is doing for the disabled, but it gives with one hand and takes away with the other. The disability allowance is now to be paid directly to the residential facility, thus by-passing the carers and leaving the recipients with only €35. This is a miserable pittance with which to pay for all one's needs. Many carers and family members of the disabled are really concerned about this. Will the Leader obtain some information on this matter from the Department of Health and Children? I can make mine available to her. We are walking into another situation similar to that which caused the scandal over nursing home charges.