Dr. Cathal Morgan:

That is fine, I will speak on those questions, if that is okay. The specific allocation this year takes two aspects into account. One concerns population health and need, while the second is what we call performance-related merit. It is based on the extent to which our CHOs and service providers meet the targets required under the Act. The allocation of resources will have absolute regard to that aspect. That is what is going to be done this year.

In previous years, such as last year when we had 100 additional posts, we did have regard to the census of staff in disability services, including physiotherapists, speech and language therapists, SLTs, psychology grade staff etc., to determine the quantum of posts being delivered. This year, however, regard is being given to population health in each of the nine CHOs and it is also performance-related.