Mr. Tadhg Daly:

The Deputy referred to value for money. The private and voluntary sector is clearly providing that. Our concern relates to the residents. If we keep putting pressure on fees, it will have an impact on the viability and sustainability of services, and on standards. As I noted in my opening statement, the State knows what it costs to provide 24-7 residential care, because it pays that in its own facilities, but then it tries to pay up to 60% less in the private and voluntary sector. There is a benchmark, which is what the State is paying its own facilities.