I do not know if the Taoiseach is aware of the very serious situation in County Kerry at present where the excellent people who provide home help by calling to people's homes must put the petrol into their cars at their own expense because they are not being given the money to which they are legally entitled to claim. Those claims are not being processed so not only are they providing this excellent service, they are running their cars at their own expense. As the Taoiseach knows, the geography of Kerry means they have to travel long distances in their cars to give care to elderly people or people who are ill in their homes. They are doing so entirely at their own expense. I ask him to ensure that this situation will be put right for home helps in Kerry and whatever has gone wrong in the processing of their claims for petrol and travel expenses will be corrected immediately to allow them to carry on the excellent service they give to elderly and sick people in our communities.

I am afraid I do not have any role in processing expenses claims for home help staff in Kerry. I imagine it is a matter for the local community healthcare organisation but I will certainly advise the line Minister that the Deputy raised the matter and perhaps he will pass that on to the local official responsible.