Mr. Stephen Mulvany:

If the Deputy's question is whether it is possible to forecast changing demographics, of course it is. Do we forecast changing demographics and the impact it will have on activity and costs? Yes. Do we know how many additional complexity weighted units can be caused simply, even with the same number of beds, by people who are a year older going into them? Yes. That information, at a relatively broad level, is available. What our commentary and analysis is acknowledging is the fact that the ongoing ageing of the population inevitably drives additional costs although it is a positive thing. It drives additional complexity. It means there are older, more vulnerable people in hospitals and healthcare facilities. They are therefore more open to infection and other issues. It can mean longer stays and so on. It is just a positive reality.