The most cost effective, best and nicest way to take care of our elderly population is to take care of them in their own homes. The Taoiseach's response yesterday on letters that have been sent about cutting home help hours has caused more confusion instead of answering the question. With regard to home help hours and our elderly, will the Taoiseach give an assurance to our honourable elderly people, whom we adore and respect, that every person who wishes to stay in their own home and to receive home help and home care will be able to do so, and that they will not be forced into a more costly means of care by sending them to private or State nursing homes?

The Deputy could raise that in another way.

I am asking the question with regard to the Health (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill. I recall what the Government stated in the programme for Government about taking care of elderly people, so this is the place for the Taoiseach to answer the question and to allay their fears. They are ringing Members on all sides of the House about it. The Taoiseach does not need the Chief Whip to tell him how he should reply.

The Taoiseach is well able to answer.

He can answer it without the Chief Whip telling him how to.

On this matter, if it was a journey from Killarney to Killorglin, the Deputy is only at Fossa and Deputy Fleming is crossing the bridge into Killorglin. Deputy Fleming raised this yesterday and I gave him a full and comprehensive reply.

I said that, but the Taoiseach gave a poor answer.

Of course I agree with the sentiment that elderly people have the right to be able to stay in their own homes as long as possible, for both their dignity and their comfort. However, in many cases there comes a time when that is no longer possible because of the extent of care required and the complexity of their situation. I said yesterday that 100,000 people receive home care packages and that the Government made a further €75 million available early this year for the fair deal scheme and home care packages. We stand by that principle. Everything cannot be done at once but as the economy improves and as our population ages, it is important that our elderly are given that sense of comfort and dignity in their own homes where that is possible.

Why are the letters going out now?

They are being threatened.

I do not know why the Deputy was not present yesterday. Deputy Fleming was on the ball quickly and raised the matter.

That is not answering the question.