Fair deal border access
Senator O'Reilly raises access to the fair deal scheme for people in Border counties who may need nursing home care in Northern Ireland. The exchange is briefly interrupted by humour, and O'Reilly also uses the reply to insist the broadband contract remains on track.
I will raise two issues with the Leader of the House. Will the Leader invite the Minister for Health to the House to debate the fair deal scheme for nursing homes in one particular context? People who live along the Border with Northern Ireland, right across Donegal, Sligo, Cavan-Monaghan and into Louth, who are very close to the Border are not able to access the fair deal scheme if they go into a nursing home in Northern Ireland. Some of the nursing homes in Northern Ireland are nearer. Anecdotally, I gather they are cheaper but they are also nearer, which is the real issue, and they are easier for families to access. There should be flexibility here and the fair deal scheme should be administered where there is a valid reason for somebody to go into Northern Ireland to a nursing home. I ask the Leader to bring the matter to the attention of the Minister for Health and perhaps we can have it properly debated in the House.
I will turn to the Jeremiahs today. Senator Daly and my colleague, Senator Gavan, are like Jeremiah when it comes to broadband. I reassure them that Eir is committed to 300,000 installations in homes and premises around the country. It will continue. It is honouring the commitment to the 300,000 installations.
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I thought we were careful not to mention names.
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They are unwarranted ill-tidings. It is Jeremiah the prophet. The very important point is that 300,000 homes will get broadband as per the contract with Eir, which stands.
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No, immediately, because it is in process as we speak. It will actually get quicker because Enet is committed to the process now. Senator Daly made the point it could get dearer but it will not. The costings are already agreed at initial tendering stage. So we will get the broadband delivered. We will be on target. When we came into government 50% of homes were connected. It is now at 71% and will be 77% by the end of the year. It is a very good success story. I would like Senator Gavan and Senator Daly not to be in this depressed state of foreboding. They should lift their spirits and look forward to broadband being in every home in the country.