It is remarkable that the Taoiseach does not have the background to the case given that he knows the name of the letter writer although I did not mention it. The funding for home help has been cut. The Minister tried to mislead the House on this matter last night but the hours have been cut back. There are 6,000 people suffering from MS in Ireland, of which about 1,000 are progressive sufferers. All of them encounter bureaucratic obstruction in being assessed for home help or a personal assistant, yet nothing is being done about it. This harrowing case is typical of the cases that exist. If the communications unit is so effective that the Taoiseach knows the name of this letter writer, why does not he know the details of the case and tell the House what he is going to do about it?

The communications unit had nothing to do with me reading the letter – I read it in the newspapers last night. It is a sad letter and, if I recall correctly, I think the writer said it was a voluntary agency and not a health board that had not replied. Deputy Rabbitte said nothing has been done but that is not true. We have made a significant investment in carers, home helps, respite carers and carers benefit schemes all of which were designed to assist people with difficulties like MS. I am well aware of MS and its progressive nature and I know many people who suffer from it. I am also well aware of the efforts made by the health boards and the aid given to organisations to assist them and we will continue to do this.

The Government is cutting their budgets.

The letter dates from 2002, not 2003. These issues are being dealt with and there has been a considerable expansion in care and treatment. There are 4,500 additional patients receiving home help, but that does not take from what Deputy Rabbitte first asked about the sad case involving this individual. I will ask the Minister, who has probably already taken up the case, to do what he can to assist her.

I doubt it.