Mary White (Fianna Fail)

Words fail me in trying to describe the Minister's eloquence. It was a magnificent presentation and listening to her was a joy, pleasure and education. As she knows, I have been supportive of the fair deal scheme, which has led to a dramatic change in the lives of older people who need to enter long-term care and their families. They no longer need to worry about where they will get the money, so I compliment the Minister.

To make the most of this opportunity, I wish to raise a couple of points. I am supportive of the fantastic centres of excellence idea and free breast cancer screening, although I previously asked the Minister about when the latter would be introduced for older people. Women over 65 years of age are seven times more likely to get breast cancer than a woman under 65 years of age. As I mentioned yesterday, Dr. Somers recently stated that the Department of Finance says "No" to everything. The majority of people in that Department are men and do not comprehend that women over 65 years of age need health care as much as women of 25 or 40 years of age. I plead with the Minister on this important issue of the human rights of older women.

Loughloe House has roused the emotions of people in the midlands. If people in the area are strongly of the belief that it can be saved in its present form, they have a democratic right to be heeded. The Health Information and Quality Authority, HIQA, gave them a good report and a different decision was made. It would be well worth the Minister's while examining that issue again.

The other one dear to my heart is the thalidomide issue. I am putting my reputation on the line by saying I intend to stick with this issue until we get a fair and just solution. The suggestion in the Minister's proposal about assessment of the needs of the people is very welcome but in terms of the monetary compensation, every one of the 32 survivors of thalidomide have different physical needs and we just cannot give a sum. Each person must be assessed in terms of what they need to help them live a normal life.

The Minister is aware of Maggie Smith, who is 3 foot 8 inches tall. She has a job and works every day. She has two children. In terms of thalidomide, I remember it all happening and the thalidomide survivors are an inspiration to me. It is extraordinary what they have been able to do with their lives. I intend to stick with this issue and I will put my reputation on the line. I would appreciate it if the Minister could examine this again. It is critical that we do something because the State failed on that issue. Dr. John O'Connell stated in his autobiography that four years later he could still buy a thalidomide tablet in a hospital in Donegal. It is frightening. There is an obligation to do something.

I have been hearing on radio programmes about child carers but it was not until yesterday that I understood that term. As I stated at the health and children committee, 95% of people in Ireland have never heard of child carers. There are thousands of children in this country who are looking after dysfunctional parents, grandparents and siblings. Apparently, five year olds are looking after parents who are dysfunctional either from mental illness, alcohol abuse or whatever. They are worrying about issues such as food and the safety of their parents or grandparents. Apparently, there are thousands of child carers in the country between the ages of 15 and 18 years and their emotional, physical and educational needs must be met. I asked Enda Egan, the chief executive of the Carer's Association, what is being done currently for child carers and to prioritise what we must do for them. He said nothing is being done. We must address that. I plead with the Minister on that issue. It is horrific to hear about child carers minding their parents. God help them.

I thank the Minister. I love listening to her speak. She is an example to all of us. I am aware that in terms of the Health Service Executive there is a lot to be done——