Catherine Ardagh (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

A recent report by Care Alliance Ireland states nearly 6,100 people nationwide are awaiting home helps. It outlines that it is more difficult to access a home help today than it was ten years ago. Care Alliance Ireland also indicates that there seems to be a disparity between areas within the country and describes a "postcode lottery", whereby people seeking a home help in some areas will have to wait for up to two years for one. I have made representations for a couple living on the south side of the city in Walkinstown. They are aged 85 and 87 years, respectively. Their family are looking for another four hours of home help per week to help them to stay in their home in order that they can stay together. If they cannot receive this help, it looks like one of them will have to move into a nursing home, which would be more costly to the State. We need to have a proper discussion on the provision of home help. I know that my colleague in the Lower House, Deputy O'Dea, has a Bill in progress that would apply the fair deal scheme system to the allocation of home help hours in order that people would be able to live securely in their home without having to move into a nursing home. We need to think about this issue, especially because of the ageing population. I, therefore, ask for a debate on the allocation of home help hours and provision of care in the home.

The second issue I would like to raise is that of domestic violence. It is incumbent on us to be more aware of it, especially in the light of recent cases which are in the public eye. We should learn the signs. As policymakers, we need to ensure more supports will be available to men and women suffering domestic violence in the home and that there will be avenues of escape in order that they will be able to leave situations where they are suffering physical or mental abuse. We have to forget about paying lip service to the issue and have a proper discussion on it to make sure the correct supports will be in place.

This is Epidermolysis Bullosa Awareness Week. Sometimes children with the condition are known as "butterfly children" because their skin appears to be more fragile. We all have two layers in our skin and most of us have an anchor which keeps the two together. However, children with epidermolysis bullosa do not have that anchor and their skin appears to be more fragile. We should take a minute to look it up to create greater awareness of it because it is a condition that affects many children in this country. They are very brave children, many of whom are coming out this week to create an awareness of the condition.