The following name is on the list, I call Deputy Danny Healy-Rae.

Earlier this year, the Government promised it would find a mechanism whereby it would be possible to transfer some of the money from the fair deal scheme across to people who need more hours of home help. We have been waiting for this when last week, we read in the papers that the Government will means test the elderly to see if they will pay for some of the public home help they receive. I remind the Taoiseach that most of the elderly receive only a quarter of an hour each day, some of them half an hour daily, and occasionally two or two and a half hours in total weekly. Very few get any home help on Saturdays, Sundays or bank holidays.

Will the Deputy ask a question?

Most families and elderly people pay for private home help themselves to make up the deficit. Now we hear the Government is going to charge them for the measly hours and minutes that they are being given. Why is the Government doing this to our elderly people? Why will the Government not assist them to stay in their homes as long as possible? Why is the Government doing this?

Other Deputies wish to come in.

The Dáil passed a motion and the Taoiseach promised he would find a mechanism.

The Taoiseach has been asked about the transfer of moneys from fair deal to some place else.

The fair deal scheme needs as much as it has. I do not know if it would be possible to transfer funds from the fair deal scheme to home help. What is being considered, it may be at consultation stage or it may have completed that, is to set up a scheme similar to fair deal for home help and home care packages. The fair deal scheme works very well. People who need a nursing home and are assessed as such can get a place in about four weeks. Part of the reason it works well is that it is a statutory scheme with a standard assessment across the country and involves those who can afford to do so making a contribution. It may well be the model for a statutory home help and home care scheme which would guarantee people the home help and home care they need within weeks, but may include a contribution from those who can afford it.