Order of Business - 28th March 2007

Order of Business – 28th March 2007
Mr. Norris: I am grateful to the Cathaoirleach for the five-minute sos because it allowed me to pick up the statement on affordable homes. I understand why the head of the Affordable Homes Partnership would object to the suggestion about brown envelopes. I do not know who made the suggestion but it certainly was not me. However, the head has missed the point because we were talking about the fact that many of the homes do not seem to be affordable and are for people who have very considerable incomes. A joint income of €75,000 is not inconsiderable and the homes were meant for nurses and others such employees on approximately €32,000. Homes are not being provided for individuals in this category. The homes are granted by lottery but the people who have entered are never told when it is held or the result unless they win a house. This does not suggest the existence of transparency and accountability.
On a related matter raised by Senator Ryan, there was a very good debate last night on the Social Welfare Bill during which I made the point that not only is it snobbish to exclude people on rent supplement from the nice little areas so they will not discommode those who can afford to buy homes therein, it is also a form of apartheid. It was I who used the word "apartheid". Focus Ireland said of this matter that, for the first time, there is in primary legislation a legal mechanism that prohibits specific categories of people from living in certain areas. The Cathaoirleach knows as well as I do that this is apartheid.

An Cathaoirleach: We will not have an extended debate on it during the Order of Business.

Mr. Norris: I would not dream of doing so.

An Cathaoirleach: I hope not.

Mr. Norris: We debated the matter last night but there was a related point I could not raise because it concerned the Department of Health and Children. Could we have a debate on health? Could the Leader raise with the Minister for Health and Children the fact that the Government now proposes to take most of the disability allowance from those with a mental disability who are staying in residential homes? This is just like what caused the scandal over nursing home charges.
At the weekend, the Government promised a great splurge of benefits and the Minister for Social and Family Affairs in his speech last night outlined all the Government is doing for the disabled, but it gives with one hand and takes away with the other. The disability allowance is now to be paid directly to the residential facility, thus by-passing the carers and leaving the recipients with only €35. This is a miserable pittance with which to pay for all one's needs. Many carers and family members of the disabled are really concerned about this. Will the Leader obtain some information on this matter from the Department of Health and Children? I can make mine available to her. We are walking into another situation similar to that which caused the scandal over nursing home charges.