Bobby Aylward (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Contracts for care were mentioned by Mr. Daly. Old-age pensioners pay approximately 80% of their pension towards contracts for care. One may read in newspapers of issues regarding the 20% remaining being taken for extra services such as hairdressing. I am not making any accusations but there are question marks in regard to how that money is being used. The patients are old and some are senile. Who takes care of how that 20% is spent and what money is left over? Patients depend on someone within the system to look after that 20% of their money and to ensure that the services for which they are paying are being provided. I received a phone call from a journalist prior to the witnesses' appearance before the committee in regard to the misappropriation of moneys in some institutions such as those represented by Mr. Daly. I do not mean for my use of "misappropriation" to be taken up wrongly. I ask Mr. Daly to comment on obtaining value for money for the 20% that is left and how the money and the extras are dealt with.