Jerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator. There are fewer people waiting for home help hours now than there were this time last year. All of us, in our offices, deal with people and recognise that there are challenges, but €8 million per week, giving a total in excess of €400 million per year, is being allocated to people for home care supports. I do not need the Senator to tell me what is and is not happening.

On the question about Irish Water, if the Senator has a particular matter to raise about Irish Water connections, I suggest she go to Irish Water directly if she is familiar with the matter she wishes to raise and which is serious for the people on whose behalf she wishes to raise it. I assume she has gone to Irish Water, but, if she has not, perhaps she might put a Commencement matter before us. It is a matter of considerable importance to the people for whom she speaks. I suggest, if she has not gone to Irish Water, she table a Commencement matter about the issue.

Last week and again today, Senator Lawless raised the issue of presidential voting rights. It is a very important referendum which deserves time and space. The Senator made a considered and measured contribution last week about the delay in holding the referendum. It is important that we receive more information and that there be engagement with the wider population and beyond because there is a polarising view emerging that I hope will not lead, or form part of, the campaign.

Senator Conway raised the issue of coastal erosion. It might be best dealt with by way of a Commencement matter. We will have the Minister of State, Deputy Moran, in the House in due course.

I am not sure if Senator Leyden was giving an advertisement for "Liveline" or the dormant accounts fund, but I wish him well in his endeavours. He has the support of the House, as Senator McDowell said. We all stand with him on the matter. The point he makes is very informative. I have seen that this week a number of credit unions have written to their customers, in particular older people who have not accessed their accounts, to tell them that they have been frozen. People have been alarmed at the letters that have appeared in the post telling that them their account has been frozen because, in some cases, the customers have not used it. I am not saying that is the case in the Senator's case.