Dr. Kathleen MacLellan:

I will start and then Mr. O'Regan from the HSE will speak. We agree with the Senator about the urgency and importance of progressing this as expeditiously as possible. The pilot programme has already started. The CHOs are identifying individuals for transition. The HSE intends that those 18 people will be transitioned this year and that lessons can be taken from that to accelerate the movement of those whose will and preference is to move out of nursing homes. A project lead is being recruited this week to commence the mapping and consultation exercise. As has been identified, it is critical that we hear from these individuals about their will and preference, about the interventions that could improve their current quality of life, and about how many of them would like to transition back into the community, where they would like to do so and what kinds of supports would be needed.