Mr. Michael Harty:

In regard to the fair deal scheme, the problem is that the practice of ring-fencing funds means that people know where funds are available and, as a result, they are pushed towards these areas. One of my members in the Wexford area recently encountered an issue whereby a 93 year old lady went into hospital for a procedure and then wanted to go home. She was unsuccessful in her application for a home care package but she managed to access the fair deal scheme instead. She is now in a nursing home receiving 24-hour care that she neither wants nor needs. This represents a significant additional cost for the State.