People who return home to Ireland from abroad to look after sick or elderly relatives are being denied the Carer's Allowance because of government red tape. Concerns have been raised over the shrinking of a unit for elderly patients at Cherry Orchard Hospital, Ballyfermot, writes STEPHEN MANGAN Ombudsman Emily O'Reilly has hit out at the HSE and the Department of Health today for their treatment of elderly people in long-term care. Senator David Norris has launched the "innocent Big Knit". Age Action is urging the public to help knit 80,000 bottle top hats for bottles of innocent smoothies.