Dominic Hannigan (Labour)

As with Senator Quinn, I attended this morning's meeting with representatives of the Carers Association. I was struck by the dedicated work the association does under very difficult circumstances. I was particularly struck by the need to ensure there are no cuts to respite care which provides carers with an opportunity to do other things in their lives besides spend 24 hours a day in their home. I ask the Leader to arrange a debate in the near future on the issue of respite care.

I also attended this morning's meeting with the Union of Students in Ireland and was shocked to hear that 50 students are dropping out of the education system every year because grants are not being paid on time. Some VECs say it will be next January before the backlog of grant payments is cleared. This is largely due to the fact that we have not enacted the Student Support Bill 2008, which is stuck in committee. I believe the reason it remains stuck in committee is because the McCarthy report recommends rationalisation and a reduction in the number of VECs. I met with the chief executive of Meath VEC and see no reason the number of VECs should be reduced. I believe such a move would be counter-productive. I am disappointed that the Student Support Bill 2008 is held up-----