Darragh O'Brien (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

What is the position with regard to home helps whose hours were cut this year? Senator Gilroy is not here this morning, but I heard him mention this issue was resolved. It has not been resolved in my area and nobody there whose hours have been cut has had their hours reinstated. Will the Leader confirm the original 500,000 hours taken out by the Government and the proposed 450,000 hours have been reinstated?

Can we all inform our constituents across the country who have had their home help cut, on the basis of what Senator Gilroy said last week, that they will be getting their home care hours back? It would be important if we could clarify that before Christmas.

We are taking Committee Stage of the Social Welfare Bill today. As everyone will know, some extremely important amendments have been tabled that would protect the respite care grant. From everything the Minister said yesterday, I cannot be convinced in any way, shape or form, and I do not think anyone in this Chamber can be convinced, that to cut 20% off the respite carer's grant is fair or equitable. It is a mistake. This House has-----