Michael Mullins (Fine Gael)

I agree with Senator Colm Burke's suggestion that we should support Irish businesses and products in the run-up to Christmas. Everyone is aware that the retail sector is experiencing a difficult period and that many businesses are hanging on by the skin of their teeth. The Christmas period is going to be crucial for such businesses. It goes without saying that the banks are not assisting small businesses. This week, a business in the town in which I live was obliged to close its doors because the relevant bank decided to withdraw its overdraft facility. This is a serious development.

Will the Leader request that Minister for Health, Deputy James Reilly, to come before the House early in the new year to discuss the operation of the fair deal scheme and to indicate why it is taking so long to process applications? I raise this matter because a 68 year old woman in the constituency in which I reside is awaiting a decision in respect of her application under the fair deal scheme. The woman qualifies under the scheme but she is facing an uncertain future. She was discharged from hospital and sent to a community nursing unit for a six-week respite period but she was then informed that she will be obliged to leave until her application has been processed. The woman cannot afford a private nursing home. It is not acceptable that an 86 year old woman should be obliged to endure the stress of not knowing when her application under the fair deal scheme will be processed. The Minister should instruct the HSE to ensure that applications for the scheme will be processed in a much more timely manner.