DAIL REPORT: Labour has accused the Tánaiste of targeting the "poor and vulnerable" in a Dáil row over State care for the elderly, a claim vehemently rejected by Ms Harney.
Labour leader Mr Pat Rabbitte alleged Ms Harney said that "the elderly have no right to expect the State to pay for their care" but she had been "caught out" and was now trying to "back-track".
The Tánaiste insisted she did not make such comments, and the Taoiseach said she did not "say anything near what Deputy Rabbitte has stated either inside or outside this House".
Mr Ahern added that "in fairness, Deputy Rabbitte is aware of what has been done right across a range of services from the old age pensions to facilities and services and he is not accurately reflecting the Tánaiste's views in this area".
However, during leaders' questions, the Dublin South-West TD insisted that "the Tánaiste will have to accept responsibility for the fact that, a few years ago, she targeted single mothers and is now targeting those she wants to care for their grandchildren. It is strange the Tánaiste never targets anybody with wealth.
"The poor and vulnerable are always targeted by the Tánaiste, who said the elderly have no right to expect the State to pick up the tab."
Mr Rabbitte quoted the Tánaiste in The Irish Times, stating that "I know this seems controversial but is it fair that people require the State to pick up the bill?".
Ms Harney intervened in the Dáil row and said: "when they abandon their relatives".
Ms Harney was reported as saying that society was becoming increasingly greedy.
"The Progressive Democrats criticising society becoming greedy is like alcoholics criticising pubs," said Mr Rabbitte.
He said the Tánaiste had called for a "carrot and stick approach, which would both encourage and reward people for taking care of their loved ones when they required care".
He asked how the Tánaiste proposed the elderly would be cared for in the community, "when one of the first things which this Government did was to cutback on home help".
He also asked if the Government was going to introduce family assessments and asked "will any recognition be given to the fact that both people in many of our homes have to work to pay the mortgage and at the same time take care of their children?
"The Tánaiste now wants these people to take responsibility for their elderly relatives also."
However, rejecting the Labour leader's comments, Mr Ahern said the Government was committed to increasing the capital programme for services for elderly people and those who worked with them.
"We have substantially improved the carers' allowance and we make further improvements on it every year."
The Ministers for Health and Social and Family Affairs were involved in a consultation process considering finances on long-term care for the elderly, and would bring forward proposals. Schemes for the elderly were having a practical effect, the Taoiseach said. "When other parties had the opportunity, they did nothing for the elderly and gave them a pittance."
We can meet the challenge of an ageing Ireland, Mary Harney: page 16
