Mary O'Rourke (Fianna Fail)

Senator Brian Hayes raised the matter of the deduction of €90 for domiciliary care of one type or another from the disability payment of €184 and Senator Scanlon echoed his remarks. I was at a carer's meeting on Monday night, where this was the dominant theme, as people had received letters demanding repayment. This issue crept up on us unknown and we must take it up with the Government immediately. I cannot understand it. I fail to understand how one can send out a demand for the repayment of €9,000 or €11,000 and I fail to understand why a Government would send out such demands at any time, and especially now. I will take up this.

Senator Brian Hayes also raised the issue of the office for domestic violence and questioned why the NGOs such as the Rape Crisis Centre, and Women Aid should not be brought into the debate on what will happen in that office. The Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Deputy Fahey, has always proved to be very open. I welcome the setting up of such an office and the Minister of State has assured us it will be broadly based and that he will listen to those who make an input to its remit.

Senator O'Toole raised a very important matter of the vetting of ancillary staff dealing with children. While the Teaching Council is willing to take on this role, it does not have the statutory authority to do so. The first time an incident occurs will be the day the legislative basis for acting will be questioned. The Act must be amended urgently.

Senator Ryan raised the matter of the water services Bill that was finally passed in the Dáil. I was alarmed to hear a female member of the Labour Party, the Finance spokesperson, say on television that a Bill would lie in the Seanad and not be debated. Bills do not lie in the Seanad, but in the Dáil. I felt like saying that people in glasshouses should not throw stones.