Mr. Andrew Conlon:

It is a large difference, which reflects the uptake, that is, whether it will be 50% or 60%. Deputy O'Reilly was correct that we will deduct a savings amount from there being fewer terminations and so on. There are issues with the cost, which is why I stress, on my own behalf in some ways, that there are many uncertainties and the figures are very much an estimate. In discussions with service providers, if we can come up with a scheme whereby the people who are currently part of the GMS scheme are retained therein and funded through capitation payments, the cost will reduce because the figures of between €80 million and €100 million represent the cost of targeting the entire population. It is the cost of doing exactly what it says on tin. The entire population is considered to be those between the ages of 16 and 44 and there is work to be done in that regard. The Department will aim to drive down the cost as much as possible.