Mr. Bernard O'Regan:

I will add two additional points. On the issue of the under 65s in nursing homes, in addition to the transitions this year and the transitions that will happen next year, and the mapping that is going on as referred to by the Minister of State, there is also other work going on in pursuit of the recommendations of the Ombudsman's report, including looking at areas around integrated services. This is not just about how we support people to move from nursing homes to a home of their own choice, it is also about them being able to access the range of primary and other supports they may wish to access.

On the question about respite allocation and making sure that it is used properly, at the moment the position on next year is that a draft of the service plan has been submitted by the HSE to the Ministers for consideration. Once that is approved we will then be in the position where we will be able to confirm the allocations to the chief officers in the community health organisation areas for their plans. I absolutely agree that if respite is being developed, wherever it is, it must be something that is beneficial for people. If it is being set up in isolated locations that do not afford people the opportunity for social connections and all of the opportunities they might want, that is not the model of respite we envisage or is of benefit to people. I hope the committee will be assured that we certainly would not intentionally go in that direction. We are trying to go in the opposite direction to make sure people have every opportunity for social participation.