Mr. Niall Redmond:

We do not know about the development process for the policy behind the scheme, but the Minister has previously signalled that there should be some contribution. However, we do not know at this point how it will shape up.

Part of the funding we secured in budget 2020 was to allow us to commence a programme of rigorous testing of different approaches to the statutory homecare scheme and the delivery of homecare under the new scheme in 2020. The testing programme is being developed between the Department and HSE and some of these issues will be looked at in that context. There are probably some issues that are quite natural and which may not have an impact. I cannot say for definite until the process is completed, but the expectation that somebody will pay 80% of his or her income while still living at home, compared to somebody living in a nursing home in which a certain amount services are provided, including bed and board, is not likely to be compatible. It is a key feature that we will have to examine. It will all start to become more apparent next year as we work through the testing programme. My understanding is we will test slightly different approaches in different areas to build a profile of what will actually work under the new scheme.