Before the adjournment I spoke about the need for something to be done for the long-term unemployed. The budget did not address that problem and the unemployment figure has decreased by only 300 in the past year. The long-term unemployed, particularly those living in socially excluded areas of our larger suburbs, have been ignored. I am disappointed there were no measures in the budget to help these people get back to work and thereby make a contribution to their families, communities and society. A new scheme must be devised, or existing ones such as the back to work scheme and others extended, to give the long-term unemployed a reason to get up in the morning. We seem to have forgotten about them. We cannot expect these people to be good citizens if they do not have dignity and the opportunity to share some of the wealth the rest of us enjoy.
I welcome the changes made in the carer's allowance. Since the scheme was introduced less than ten years ago it has been extended almost every year but there is still room for improvement. The measure introduced this year whereby a person caring for more than one person can get a top-up payment is to be welcomed. I know of a case, however, where a person caring for two or perhaps three people was turned down for this top-up payment because the medical guideline level was not reached. I hope that aspect will be examined. Despite the income disregard figure many people do not qualify for the carer's allowance. I would like to see a payment being made, even a nominal £25 per week, to people caring for an elderly relative. That would be an indication that the Government recognises the contribution these people make.
Many private nursing homes increased their prices recently. Letters I received from my constituents refer to increases of £40. I do not know how the nursing homes can justify such an increase when inflation is only 2 per cent. Many people who previously could afford private nursing care are being driven out of the net and this is creating problems.
The whole area of housing for the elderly must be examined. We make provision for the care of the elderly but we do not appear to give much thought to the housing aspect. I hope that will be addressed in the future, perhaps by appointing a Minister or Minister of State with responsibility for the environment and health. Local authorities are responsible for housing and health boards are responsible for health issues, but never the twain shall meet. Those two strands should work together in an effort to provide services for the elderly. Many people would not have to be in nursing homes if proper care was provided in the community.
While there has been much talk about job creation, Dublin North-West is not benefiting. Even though we have a Minister in the constituency, it has been passed over for several big enterprises in the past couple of years. An international report commissioned by the EU stated that Abbotstown was the best location in Dublin for a science park. When this Government took up office and appointed a Minister from Dublin North-West, the people of the area were sure it would be located there. However, it was swept from under his nose at the Cabinet table and given to his colleague in Dublin South-West. We also lost out in respect of a site for a regional technical college on the northside. It appears the lobbying of two Ministers of State in Dublin West is more powerful than the lobbying of a Minister in Dublin North-West.
We are bounded by two constituencies in which there have been large scale developments. The Clonshaugh Industrial Estate, where a number of multinationals have located, is situated in Dublin North-Central and the new shopping centre in Blanchardstown is situated in Dublin West, but Dublin North-West has been ignored. A campaign has been launched for an industrial estate in Finglas, but the application for designated status is being held up by the general review of the urban renewal scheme. The Government has designated a special enterprise zone in Grand Canal Street, yuppie land. While I am aware that is in the Minister for Finance's constituency, how can it qualify for an enterprise zone when Finglas, with largescale unemployment, has to wait until the review of the urban renewal scheme has taken place? The issue is simply being fudged.
While everybody may have received a little in the budget, no effort was made to target deprived groups. A few bob in tax reforms has been spread here and there, but members of the public will be disappointed when they get their cheques in April. The people will cop on to this Government sooner rather than later.