Mr. Phelim Quinn:

I thank the Deputy. I will take her third question first and then pass to my colleagues who will give some detail in relation to the other questions.

HIQA as an organisation has 278 staff, of which 22 are dedicated to the regulation of nursing homes, including 17 inspection staff. We have recently received sanction from the Department of Health for an additional nine staff, of which seven are inspectors for nursing homes. As a result of the publication and recommendations of the expert nursing home panel report, we have submitted a business case which reflects the significant additional activity being required of us in relation to nursing homes. I will pass to my colleagues to answer some of the other questions.