Mr. Greg Dempsey:

I will answer that question in two parts. We have not determined the final scope of the value-for-money audit but at the moment it is simply limited to looking at the question as to why public hospitals cost more than private ones. That is the particular exercise.

In respect of some of the other policy initiatives, there is some work going on in the Department to examine the longer-term demand and challenges arising from the change in population, as well as considering a policy response in respect of, for example, providing more home care in order that people can stay at home longer.