Mr. Barry O'Brien:

I will answer those questions. A specific appendix to the Croke Park agreement deals with external service provision options. There is a requirement on us all to achieve the maximum efficiencies for direct health service provision from the funding we receive. It might be more effective, including more cost-effective, to avail of an external provider to meet significant infrastructural requirements in areas such as information technology. That might prove to be a good solution from a staff perspective and in delivering the payroll function. It is not as if the staff would not be employed. Obviously, they would be redeployed within the wider health family, in line with the public service agreement. The Deputy might ask questions if we were investing substantially in payroll infrastructure when an external provider could provide the service in an efficient and cost-effective manner.