Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State, Deputy Jim Daly, to the House. This is the first occasion publicly I have had to congratulate him on his appointment. I acknowledge the huge energy, commitment and activity he has brought to the role since his appointment. He participated in a public meeting in my area in Bailieborough, County Cavan, on this very issue. There was good participation from those who attended that meeting that night. I hope, in some way, that his interaction with those people at the meeting has informed the good outcome in his deliberations since. It was appreciated that he took questions from people in an open way and listened to the views of the people that night.

I am happy that since then the Minister has recently given a commitment to introduce a cap on the charge for farm and small business assets in the fair deal scheme. I know he is seeking legal advice in this area and that the whole area around private property is complex. However, the fact he is committed in principle to deal with this is what is important. That will be greatly appreciated by farmers, particularly young farmers who want to be in a position to inherit the farm. As Senator Swanick said earlier, this is a personal family and intergenerational matter. That is also the case with many small retail outlets. A similar cap should exist in these cases to ensure parity.

The IFA ran an effective and reasoned campaign on this issue and I acknowledge its good work in this sphere. An individual is allowed the first €36,000 of his or her assets, and a couple €72,000 of their assets, to be exempt from the assessment for the 7.5% annual charge. While it is not completely punitive, at the same time, the reforms are necessary to ensure family continuity in small businesses and farms.

I share the national abhorrence felt towards the overcharging in nursing homes, specifically the overcharging for services already freely available on long-term illness and medical cards. That is a horror. It is wrong and unethical and it is particularly distressing that it would happen in a sector where the whole ethos should be different. I know the Minister of State is concerned by this. I appeal to him to stamp it out by whatever process is needed and however punitively. There needs to be a high level of regulation of nursing home charges. The Minister of State may recall when he met my local community in Bailieborough that many people made the point there should be an assessment and control of excessive charging in nursing homes. I join the national clamour on this matter. It is appalling.

I am delighted we will put home care on a statutory basis. It is the preferred option. In surveys 85% of people have indicated a preference to stay at home in their old age. That is their prerogative and that is where people are happiest. It is the right choice for people’s personal happiness, welfare and fulfilment. It is also the economic right thing to do because it is more cost-effective than institutional care.

It might depart from some of the national consensus but, in some instances, where people have a certain income level, they should be prepared to make a contribution to an effective good home care package which would make living at home a viable option rather than coping with a stressed situation of a mediocre package. Rather than a package which is not adequate and only tampers with things, they should be given the proper package and, where it is affordable, to ask them to make a contribution. It may not be a populist view but it is actually right. Sometimes we have to depart from populism for the sake of what is right. This is one such example.

I thank the Acting Chairman for allowing me a level of latitude in parochial and time terms. A level of that is allowed but we would not want to overdo it.