Irish Water staffing and social cuts
MacSharry seeks information on former local-authority staff in Irish Water and criticises public spending amid cuts to medical, disability and respite supports.
I also have a legitimate question which I ask the Deputy Leader to raise with the Minister. How many former local authority staff who have been in receipt of lump sums on retirement are working for Irish Water and in receipt of a State salary from the company? This very important question must be answered. The backdrop to this issue is medical card applications being refused, cutbacks to respite grants and, as we heard last week, cuts to disability grants and grants for the elderly. People who were bred in a culture of spending other people's money are continuing to do so. I ask that an appropriate time be made available for a debate next week and that the specific questions I have raised be put to the Minister on behalf of all Senators.