Nicky McFadden (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister of State. Carers are the unsung heroes and the poor relations in our health system. There are a total of 161,000 family carers, 40,000 of whom are providing full-time care for more than 400,000 people with disabilities. Last week we witnessed the very profound protest and lobbying by people who are disabled and their very strong carers. While the Minister of State has made a very understanding and sensitive contribution, I cannot agree with her that carers are being supported to the extent they require. The biggest worry for the carers on that protest to whom I spoke was that the half-rate carer's allowance or respite grant would be removed or cut. I ask the Minister of State to give a commitment that this allowance will not be interfered with in any way. The half-rate carer's allowance is a measly sum of €106 per week. Such carers provide up to 60 hours' care per week, which is almost full-time care in the home for people with disabilities. This is very good value for money. If this care were to be sourced in the private sector, €106 per week would provide five hours' full-time care.

I have had many conversations with the Carers Association which is appalled at the indignity inflicted on some of its members for the sake of saving a few euro. Community health and community care services are being cut left, right and centre and care-givers are experiencing anxiety in this regard.

I refer to the issue of incontinence pads because this is a grave worry. This was illustrated in an edition of "The Frontline" television programme where one could see the anxiety inflicted on carers. An incontinence manager is someone who rations the number of incontinence pads for use by elderly people. I know about this because people have come to me in my constituency about it. They have told me they are not allowed a sufficient number of incontinence pads for the use and comfort of elderly relatives. In an article in The Irish Times on 6 July there was a reference to incontinence managers who were asking carers to bring in wet nappies in order that they could be weighed to see if they were managing resources properly. I find that extraordinary. This problem was well documented on the programme "The Frontline" by carers who spoke about the lengths of time identified in the draft HSE guidelines which I hope will never be introduced. A stopwatch will be used to monitor the length of time it takes to get an elderly person up in the morning. A period of ten minutes is allocated for this task. What happens if the elderly person has had a bad night and is feeling vulnerable and unwell? A period of 15 minutes has been allocated for the taking of a shower. It takes a long time to get an elderly person from a wheelchair onto a shower chair. If he or she has brittle bones, we must consider the amount of time it takes to dry and dress him or her. It is nice that a person has ten minutes for breakfast, but it does not augur well if he or she must be fed. There is no allocation of time for housework such as taking out ashes and setting a fire. I know home helps who do this, but no time is allowed for it. There is no time to go to the shop if someone needs a litre of milk. The public health nurses association has come out against the draft guidelines and I hope the Minister of State listens to it. She is a caring person who is both practical and logical. We should remember that if people are kept in their homes, it will save the State billions of euro.

Trinity College commissioned a report entitled, No Place Like Home - Study of Domiciliary Care Services for Older People. It documents that it is nine times more expensive to keep a child with a severe disability in hospital or in an institution than at home. The Jack and Jill Children's Foundation funds its activities by recycling mobile phones. I have sent mobile phones to it. Some 35 children will reach the age of four years, the cut-off point, beyond which the organisation does not have enough funds to extend the service. These children are not sure if they will receive support. A gentleman in Roscommon spoke about his fears. He benefits from nursing care two nights a week, which means he and his wife can sleep for those two nights. They would not have this without the support of the Jack and Jill Children's Foundation. We know that if one does not get enough sleep, one cannot cope during the day. Many of the families affected are in terror and living in fear. They do not know how they will survive.

I referred to the half-rate carer's allowance. The Minister of State referred to 19,000 wonderful people. In 2007 the half-rate carer's allowance and respite care grants were allocated in recognition of the great work they do. They are a unique group which provides tremendous value. I ask the Minister of State to give us such a commitment. The biggest fear of the Carers Association is that the half-rate carer's allowance and the respite care grant will be cut.

The Minister of State referred to young carers. In that regard, I welcome the report of Dr. Allyn Fives. The young people concerned provide care before they go to school and are socially isolated. I warmly welcome the understanding of the Minister of State of the problems faced by this group and ask that she consider them.

I refer to respite care services. The Minister of State attended a public meeting in Athlone and witnessed our fabulous centre, Loughloe House, which will be closed. Now that it is to be closed, there will be no respite care services in the Athlone area. The Minister of State has said the only way to support those who provide care is to give them a break in order that their mental and physical health can recover and they can continue caring. Two private beds are being sought to meet demand in the entire Athlone area. Heretofore, there was a long waiting list to enter Loughloe House or St. Vincent's Hospital. Two beds are being sought in the Mullingar area, while the number of beds in St. Mary's Hospital is to be reduced from 190 to 50. I ask the Minister of State to put her money where her mouth is. If she is serious about acknowledging the valuable work done by carers, there must be respite care services available.