Mr. Michael Harty:

The Minister for Health stated to the Dáil that 29% of the people in the fair deal scheme were low dependency, in other words, they do not need 24-hour care, and a further 16% were medium dependency. That suggests approximately 30% of patients do not need 24-hour provision. Numerous international studies have shown that people's first preference is to remain at home. It is a political win-win for the Government. It would save money while also giving its constituents what they want.