Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I agree with colleagues' remarks about William Trevor. We mourn his passing. Among other works, his short story, "The Ballroom of Romance", will be a jewel for sociologists and historians for generations to come. It evokes and depicts a very glum and dark period in Irish history. It is one we tend to romanticise retrospectively but it does not merit such romanticising.

I wish to raise a question that becomes more important at this time of year. Soon the issue of trolleys, overcrowding in accident and emergency departments and waiting lists in hospitals will come into focus. I am conscious that the Leader was a distinguished and effective former chairman of the health committee. In that regard, I wish to have a full debate in the House on the use of the carer's allowance as a mechanism or instrument for keeping people out of hospital. Far more could be done. First, there should be more celebration of our carers in a public way. Second, we should conduct more advertising about the carer's allowance.I suggest that more fringe benefits should be given to carers. While I believe the €5 increase in carer's allowance that is pending is worthwhile, I emphasise that such increases must be continued. There should be incremental increases all the time to make it an attractive option. It would be my contention that it is a much cheaper option than hospitalising and institutionalising individuals. People are happiest at home. If the Leader could bring the relevant Minister to the House for a debate, that might give rise to a proper study of how effectively we are using the carer's allowance scheme and the home-help and home-care packages to ensure people stay out of hospital and to enable them to be with their loved ones, which is what they want. I genuinely believe not enough is being done in the context of carer's allowance to keep people out of hospital and to create employment for people who are in jobs they might not necessarily be overly happy with and who would be happier if they could move home to work as carers of loved ones. I appeal to the Leader to take this relevant issue seriously and to act on it before Christmas, if possible.