Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)

I do not think the Minister made that assertion at all, but I am sure he will speak for himself later. The report on the review is due on Friday. Therefore, it is pointless to start discussing where the money will come from, whether it should be returned to the scheme or how much will be needed in the future until we see the review. This is not an issue that will disappear overnight. It is a long-term issue that will not just be about this year, but about next year and the year after. The issues need to be reviewed and we need to find out exactly what happened and what the financial and other needs are for the future.

The Minister has admitted that €100 million was spent on areas other than the subhead for which it was intended, but it was spent in nursing homes. Other subheads could have paid for those therapies and medications. This is the subject of the review, which will try to establish where the money was spent and how we will rectify the issue.

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