Dairy farmers are struggling to make ends meet with the price of milk and dairy products starting to reduce while their costs are still increasing. This is a fight they can take on, but the fight they cannot take on at present is the dropping of nitrates from 250 kg per ha to 220 kg per ha. I attended a farm walk in Farnanes where I met a typical Irish farmer who has 71 cows. He is a married man with four young children. He has run his farm environmentally meticulously for many years. He has proper slurry spreading equipment and has done every other thing he had to do. If the nitrates drop from 250 kg per ha to 220 kg per ha, he will have to drop his number of cows from 71 to 55, 56 or 57 cows. If this is the case, he will face being wiped out and that is the case for many farmers. Will the Government plough ahead with the 250 to 220 nitrates drop?

I propose to take Questions Nos. 317 and 318 together.

I wish to advise the Deputy that the information requested is set out in the attached table.

As regards the 12 State Bodies under the aegis of my Department, the information requested is an operational matter for the State Bodies themselves. I have referred the Deputy’s question to the Agencies and have requested that a response should issue within 10 days.

I will raise an important issue that affects many individuals I represent as Sinn Féin spokesperson for older people, namely, the lack of adequate support for those suffering from dementia, including Alzheimer's disease. These debilitating conditions not only affect memory but also basic daily activities, communication and the ability to live independently. Despite the high number of people who are affected by these conditions, the support and resources available are often inadequate. Adding to this issue is the difficulty in acquiring medical cards which are vital for those suffering with these conditions. It is essential the Government prioritise and improve support and resources for those with dementia and Alzheimer's disease and make it easier for them to access medical cards.

I did not quite catch what Deputy Collins said. He speaks at a rapid speed that defies-----

The Tánaiste was talking madly. He cannot listen to two people at once.

They cannot deal with the nitrates dropping from 250 kg per ha to 220 kg per ha. It will wipe them out.

I understand that but it is a directive that is coming down the tracks. Work is under way.