Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

There is a clear shortfall in the funding. Maybe the 500 people in acute beds make up part of the 4,604 but that is not clear. All we know is that a certain number are waiting for final approval. Some will not gain final approval because of other circumstances such as not being in need of long-term care and various other issues.

We do not have the money to provide final approval for the applications; it is as simple as that. There is turnover in long-term care and that will always be an issue. People will come out of the system, which is an issue that can be considered. The final examination of where the money went and how we will manage this scheme for the rest of the year will come to us on 3 June.

The figures I provided were for the end of March. We can stand here all day playing games but the issue is way too serious for that. People are very worried about the long-term care of elderly parents, spouses or siblings and the problem is too serious for political games. We are working very hard to ensure the matter is resolved.

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