Colm Burke (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their very comprehensive presentations. Having been in the private sector for many years, I am well aware of the issues associated with running any business. Ms Michele Akerlind referred to rates of €13,000 per annum. That works out at €250 per week, which is quite a lot of money. With regard to the cost of providing services, I am not looking for exact figures but the percentages of the funding coming in. No one has actually given a breakdown on the use of the money by percentage. Providing it would be a useful exercise. The €13,000 in rates is going back to a State organisation. Of the money coming in, what percentage is really going back to the State in the form of rates, PRSI or PAYE? In real terms, the net cost to the State is far lower than what we are being told. It would be useful for us to have an overall breakdown. It is important for long-term planning.

The issue of rates is significant. Insurance is also an issue that is arising. It needs to be examined also. We cannot bring about change overnight so there has to be a planned process. Deputy Healy asked the witnesses to state their main priority. What are the three areas in which the witnesses believe an immediate improvement could be made without the State incurring a huge cost? That is an issue we need to examine immediately. We also need to plan carefully in respect of where money is being invested and ensure we can develop the service while at the same time paying staff adequately. Producing a breakdown by percentage would be a useful exercise that we could work on.