Mr. Noel Waters:

We have accepted that recommendation from the Comptroller and Auditor General and have initiated a process where, in cases of non-performance, a contractor may lose up to 10% of the entire population of the centre over a particular payment period. A centre with 300 people, for example, could end up losing €3,000 if it does not perform to the measures set down which could relate to food, the cleanliness of rooms, the provision of other services and so forth. There are clear performance measures in place which contractors are obliged to adhere to, which is a new development.