Mr. Liam O'Sullivan:

I might speak to the issue of access. It is quite simply demographics. We have 20,000 people entering the 65 and older cohort each year. A proportion of them, particularly those in their 80s, are likely to need home care if they want to stay out of hospitals and nursing homes. It is a demographics issue.

In terms of labour costs, it is labour-intensive work and there is no getting away from that. Unit cost early rates are increasing, therefore, incrementally, that will continue.

I cannot speak to the issue of quality equipment but to reiterate, there were 10% cuts overnight in home care provision in the tough years of 2011, 2012 and 2013. They have begun to be restored but we are still playing catch-up.