Joan Burton (Dublin West, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I thank all Senators who contributed to this debate, especially those who have given their support to the measures contained in the Social Welfare Bill. People find any reductions or changes in social welfare payments difficult. Every euro in the ¤20.2 billion social protection concerns an individual, a family and a community somewhere in this country.

Senator Cullinane gave an example of a widowed mother of two autistic boys. Under our system, such an individual would get ¤33,000 per annum, gross and net. It is not a high income but a significant one. That figure also takes into account the reduction in the carer's respite grant and that housing benefits package, travel benefit and the medical card would be worth a combined ¤700 to that family. In practice, for many other families it would be worth more. It is not true that our social welfare payments are mean, low and miserly. They are not as significant as we might like them to be, particularly for carers. As Senator Moran pointed out, many carers have sleepless nights because their children are restless and active during the night. That is a particular burden these parents carry.

From my experience, as well as talking to Members such as Senator Moran and reading the article by the former Senator, Niall Ó Brolcháin, in last week's Sunday Independent, I know many want assurances about the actual provision of the respite places.

I agree with the proposal made by Senators Marie Moloney, Mary Moran and others that we need to map and audit the position in the provision of respite care places. Senator Mary White will be aware, from experience, that what carers really need, regardless of whether they are looking after a elderly person or a young child, is an assurance that if they make contact with the relevant provider, they will be able to access a reliable respite care place or service. To be honest, all the respite care grants in the world are not worth as much to most carers as the actual provision of respite care services on which they can rely and which can allow them to spend time with the rest of their families or take a short break, whether in Ireland or abroad. It was for this purpose that the respite care grant, as originally designed, was meant. I will be talking to the Minister for Health and the Minister of State with responsibility for the disability sector to see whether it will be possible to develop a programme of absolute structures in respect of respite care places. As stated, I am aware that the provision of such places is the most important aspect of this matter. It is really important to families who are caring for elderly relatives that these individuals can be placed in a nursing home, a community care home or one of the older public hospital facilities - perhaps for as little as two days or up to a fortnight - and that they can have check-ups, etc., while they are there. I agree with the proposal made in this regard.

Senator Marie Moloney asked whether it would be possible to use some of the additional 10,000 places, particularly those relating to the Tús and community employment schemes, in the context of extra provision. Many community employment schemes provide preschool and after-school services. They also provide a wide range of services for older people. I would welcome proposals from organisations, associations and community employment schemes which provide services for younger and older people and families which require support in respect of the additional places being provided. It is up to the former to bring forward such proposals which I will be happy to discuss with them.

I inform those Senators who, in all good conscience, feel obliged to oppose certain sections of the Bill that voting in favour of a 90 day pause would not be without-----