Seán Fleming (Laois, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I ask Mr. Healy to provide a detailed note on this issue because when a committee such as the Committee of Public Accounts examines these issues we often mistakenly believe we are capturing the full picture. The amount spent on long-term residential care for disabled people may be similar to the amount spent on the fair deal scheme. We do not often discuss this topic, which is probably neglected. I am not saying there is an issue but the subject does not attract much public discourse. I ask for a note to give the committee a fuller picture.

The HSE sometimes pays private providers to care for some of those who are in this category. Are these payments included in the budget? How much of this care is provided through HSE facilities? I have heard of one difficult case which would cost up to €200,000 per annum in the private sector. I ask for a detailed note on the numbers, maximum costs, etc.