Mr. Niall Redmond:

In respect of the operational aspects of the scheme, the main expertise in the State is the HSE. The 2015 review considered the operation of the scheme from top to bottom and how all aspects of it worked, not just on this particular issue but all aspects. That came up with a range of recommendations, one of which was on this issue. The Deputy used the word "audit" but the Department of Health does not audit the scheme, so to speak. We engage on a monthly basis with the HSE. We have a specific structure set up with it to monitor implementation and not just the financial aspects but emerging issues coming up from the ground around policy and operation. We do have a good understanding of how it operates and where issues may arise. By and large many of them can be addressed on an ongoing basis. We do have that ongoing dialogue because it is a very complex scheme and does provide a lot of value to people. We are conscious of that and anything we can do in respect of examining its operation we do on an ongoing basis. The review was the formal period when all aspects of it were covered.

Off the top of my head, I think the review came up with recommendations for 32 administrative reforms. Almost all of those have been implemented. We are looking at a number of other reforms that required further work, relating to farms and businesses and to other matters, which required a deeper review, which is ongoing. That was probably the formal milestone of the review of the scheme in a nutshell. We have constant ongoing engagement with the HSE and other agencies of the State about the operation of the scheme. We keep a close eye on that and related issues that arise.