Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I do not wish to cover the same ground but on the home help issue, does the Minister believe there is a link between that and the increase in attendance at accident and emergency departments? Also, at the launch of the Home and Community Care Ireland group in recent weeks, the group reported it could make savings of up to €280 million on home care while creating more hours for home carers. What is the Minister's view on that?

I also have a question for Mr. O'Brien. In respect of the centralised buying conducted by the HSE in its procurement unit or in the individual areas, such as my area in Sligo, Donegal, Leitrim, Cavan and so forth, are any of the procured materials, be they dry goods, food or the like, invoiced to individual hospitals at a margin to the HSE? If there is a margin, how is that calculated? Will Mr. O'Brien comment on that?