Mary Butler (Waterford, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Deputy for his question on the nursing home sector, about which we have had many conversations. Some 80% of beds provided in the nursing home sector are operated by private and voluntary organisations. Just under 4% fall into the voluntary category so approximately 76% are private. The fair deal scheme supports 18,000 beds in the private sector. Last year, close to €1 billion was paid out under the fair deal scheme. On the Deputy's point regarding the underspend of €44 million, my job as Minister of State is to make sure that the fair deal budget is sufficient to run from 1 January to the very last day of any given year. We have seen fewer people present this year. Normally, we have approximately 22,500 people in nursing homes under the fair deal scheme during the year. This year, we have a slightly lower number. That is the first point.