Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I accept that the contribution is towards the cost of accommodation and other basic services, but I am making the point that if a person is making such a contribution, he or she feels there should be some obligation on the HSE to provide the other services required for an individual in such accommodation. We should bear in mind that it is set by the Minister of the day. I know that the Minister is very understanding of the financial pressures people are under, but I am always concerned when the Minister of the day determines costs. There is no process for engagement with stakeholders.

The Minister of the day may be short of money in the budget and may just decide to increase it. This amendment to the Health Act 1970 will actually give the Minister the power to raise those charges if he or she deems it appropriate, or the Minister may not even deem it appropriate but he or she might just have to make up the numbers. That is why we and the stakeholders have major concerns about it. I will be opposing the section.