Mr. Tony O'Brien:

We want to retain the current level of public nursing home stock. We regard it as essential because some people would not receive the long-term care they need were it not for the availability of publicly provided nursing home stock. Given the demographic profile, there will be a significant increase in the demand for care services for older people. We have made submissions to the Committee on the Future Funding of Healthcare which focus on the need to provide the same assurance that the nursing homes support scheme currently provides for those for whom long-term nursing home care is the right solution in relation to home supports.