Before coming to the Order of Business, I propose to deal with a number of notices under Standing Order 32. I will call on the Deputies in the order in which they submitted their notices to my office.
Requests to move Adjournment of Dáil under Standing Order 32.
I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the despicable manner in which elderly people are treated when they try to contact the primary care reimbursement service in Finglas, Dublin 11, to inquire about their medical card applications; whether the Minister for Health and Children is aware of the problems in making contact with the Finglas centre — in some cases applicants never actually get through — and that this is causing annoyance, frustration and especially fear to hundreds of elderly people. It is an absolute disgrace.
Something should be done.
I wish to seek the adjournment of the Dáil under Standing Order 32 to raise a matter of national importance, namely, the threat to countrywide home ownership with the number of new mortgages given out in the third quarter falling again, a 56.4% decrease from the same period last year and a 4% reduction from the second quarter of this year. This is a worrying trend, combined as it is with a massive increase in the demand for rent supplement, which has increased by 24% since last December, with 91,600 currently receiving this payment. This is a waste of scarce resources which should be utilised to place people in long-term housing.
Having considered the matters raised, they are not in order under Standing Order 32.
What about Deputy Connaughton's issue? What about old people and medical cards?