Michael Harty (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Before we move on to the next programme, the Minister knows that two weeks ago the committee met the Cabinet Secretary for Health, Wellbeing and Sport in Scotland, Ms Shona Robison, MSP. Deputy Louise O'Reilly and I met her prior to the Minister's meeting with her. Even though it was a short conversation, she had very interesting things to talk about. One of the ways discharges are dealt with in Scotland involves buying, renting or leasing a certain percentage of beds in private nursing homes for use by public patients as step-down and interim facilities. It is certainly a very innovative idea which we might sow a seed in the Minister's mind.