Feargal Quinn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

The words of the Irish Kidney Association bring to mind the problem of kidney transplants and the real difficulty we have south of the Border. Apparently, north of the Border, Belfast City Hospital has solved this problem and could help us out. To what extent, are we availing of this opportunity to ensure kidney transplants take place? There is a long waiting list in the South but apparently they have solved this problem in the North. A transplant from a living donor - in other words, one of the family or somebody who gives one a kidney rather than from someone who is deceased - has a much better chance of surviving. It seems we are ignoring an opportunity to link up with Belfast City Hospital to solve that problem.

A tax credit for home help was introduced in Sweden and Finland. Sweden introduced tax credits for household help and specifically to encourage more people to return to work. I suppose it is to do basic jobs such as cooking, gardening and looking after the household. It has almost wiped out the black economy in that area. I do not know what the situation is in Ireland but Sweden has solved this problem very easily.

I do not what is the position here but Sweden appears to have solved the problem easily. In addition, Finland has created 90,000 jobs and while these are not full-time positions, they are suitable for many people and are frequently taken by mothers returning to employment after childbirth. We should learn something from these examples. Finland, with a population of similar size to Ireland's population, has created 92,000 jobs at no direct cost through the introduction of a tax credit, rather than a direct financial outlay. It would be worthwhile investigating this issue.