I wish to advise the House of the following matters in respect of which notice has been given under Standing Order 20 and the name of the Member in each case: (1) Deputy Connaughton — the need for sufficient services to meet the needs of mentally handicapped persons in the Ballinasloe-East Galway area with particular reference to respite care facilities, a crisis relief centre, progression to secondary school level, speech therapy and access to workshop facilites; (2) Deputy Gilmore — the difficulties being encountered by a person (details supplied) in County Dublin who is applying for a carer's allowance; (3) Deputy McManus — the need for the Minister for Health to use the powers available to him under the Health (Nursing Homes) Act, 1990, to extend the definition of nursing home to include retirement homes in view of the severe problems faced by residents at the Clonmannon Retirement Home, County Wicklow; (4) Deputy Dukes — the serious concerns of members of the Permanent Defence Force and of their families at the implications of proposals made by the consultants to the efficiency audit group, particularly in light of the fact that the Chief of Staff has expressed dissatisfaction with the proposals.
The matters raised are considered to be in order and have been selected for discussion as follows: Deputy Gilmore; Deputy Dukes; Deputy Connaughton and Deputy McManus.