Mr. David Moloney:

IFAC has set out how it reached its numbers. They are based on very broad assumptions rather than detailed modelling because we do not have as much data on health inputs and outputs as we would like. I appreciate that we have an oversight role in terms of value for money and we are fully prepared to accept that. Going back to the health committee, the Secretary General of the Department of Health spoke quite directly to the productivity question and undertook to put a greater emphasis on productivity.

I think that will be in particular areas. Deputy Tóibín spoke about drug costs and the layers within the HSE. One of the discussions we have had is the recruitment of management and administrative staff as opposed to clinical staff. We monitor that and it is one of the issues that is discussed.