Paul Bradford (Fine Gael)

I am disappointed with the Minister's response. I would have had a view of her ideology on many issues and would have expected her to be more sympathetic. As I said, I believe one of her predecessors, the late Séamus Brennan, not in the sense of producing reports, but in the ongoing engagement he had with us politically, was moving in a more positive direction on carer's allowance.

The Minister said that her budget was €19.6 billion, which is enormous but necessary and admittedly difficult to find. If we put the €150 million on the other side of the equation, I would contend that if the means test were eliminated for the carer's allowance the €150 million probably would be insufficient to pay for the extra claims that would come on board. It is like the ongoing arguments on child benefit, third level fees, medical cards for the over 70s etc. that will never conclude. At some stage it is necessary to make political decision, notwithstanding the cost. We need to make the political decision that we value people who provide full-time care and attention to a family member, relative or neighbour and that we also encourage the concept of elderly people spending their futures in their homes and communities rather than in nursing homes. I do not want to be seen as critical of nursing homes because I recall canvassing at some of them in an election and the proprietors felt I was public enemy number one, simply because I firmly believe that people if at all possible should be encouraged to remain in their homes and communities.

The €150 million is a substantial amount. At the moment the Department of Health and Children is paying out enormous sums in nursing home subvention schemes, often paying the enhanced subvention. In many cases the Minister for Health and Children, Deputy Harney, is paying out €600 to €700 per week to look after a person in a nursing home. That person may well be much happier at home and if €250 or €260 a week were paid to a neighbour, family member or friend to look after the person, it would be win-win for everybody concerned, including the taxpayer.

I appreciate what the Minister said but I am a little disappointed with her overall response. I had hoped she would reflect further because over the next ten to 20 years, as the demographic trends will show, care of the elderly will be a major issue. We can build all the bright shiny nursing homes we like and put all the elderly people in there if we wish. That might be some people's view of a solution, but it is not mine. We need a strong political statement that we will encourage and support people who wish to stay in their homes and communities with their families and friends. There are many ways of doing this, but in view of what is before us today, the carer's allowance is key. It is not even the amount of money involved; it is the fact that the State recognises the work carers do for elderly people, relatives, friends or neighbours. From the point of view of policy, this is something the Minister should consider more fully and with more of an open mind. I appreciate that €150 million is a large amount of money and probably would not be enough to cover what I am looking for, but the costs on the other side are large also, with subventions and all the other financial remedies that have to be applied when people are not in a position to stay at home.