Tim Lombard (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister of State for her comprehensive response. It is clear the scheme is not fit for purpose, as she acknowledged. It is about making sure we get a scheme in place to meet the needs of the people I represent, such as the man in Bandon to whom I referred, who are housebound other than when the community steps in out of goodwill, as well as those who lost limbs in an accident or were born without limbs. Such a scheme must be put in place.

I compliment the work of the Minister of State on the report that has been published. It is a hard-hitting report that acknowledges the flaws in the current scheme, which is totally out of sync with society and the realities of life. It is now about trying to make sure a new scheme can be put in place. The State has a surplus of money. There are people in need. Of all issues I encounter, this is a priority. The Minister of State is correct that she and I are from rural areas with similar demographics. Unfortunately, farm accidents occur in such areas.

There is a cohort of society that needs to be supported through the provision of a new scheme. Is primary legislation needed to bring in a new scheme or will it be run through a Department? Which Department will run the scheme? I mean no offence to the Minister of State but she saw how responsibility for taking this Commencement matter was hopped from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth and now she is here representing the Minister for Finance. That is because nobody wanted to touch this issue. It is a hot topic in so many ways. The string of emails we received was hilarious. I ask her to confirm the lead Department that will run the scheme and the timeline for when it will be up and running.