Dr. Kathleen MacLellan:

Let me address the issue of nursing homes. The information we have from the nursing homes support scheme database indicates there are 1,200 people under 65 in nursing homes. We know from research by DCU that between a quarter and a half of them may be people with disabilities who are inappropriately placed. The criteria for entry to nursing homes are based on activities of daily living and the need for 24-hour nursing care. It seems the individuals are individuals with complex requirements where support in the community is concerned. We accept fully that it is important that CHOs prioritise addressing how individuals who are inappropriately placed could be placed more appropriately. The CHOs are doing this actively in terms of waiting lists and priorities. Those are the figures we have at the minute. We monitor continually the nursing homes support scheme database to ascertain how the numbers might vary year on year.