Mr. David Kitching:

I would hope that would be the eventual outcome, but even that would not be sufficient to satisfy many of the measures that our research has proposed.

As regards elder care, the demographics in Europe indicate that there will be significant opportunities for employment for carers in the first place. I agree that much could be done, viewing this as a source of employment. We also need to think of the social rights of the elderly themselves. It is a better outcome to be able to stay in one's home and that is usually people's preference anyway.

As regards what is the best level at which to administer that, or what is the best source of funding, that is another matter. Of course, it needs to be administered at local level. Ms Costello, MEP, worked previously on the EU fund for the most deprived.