James Reilly (Dublin North, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

There has been a great deal of discussion with regard to public capacity vis-à-vis long-term care and the public option. I wish to place on record the fact that we are committed to maintaining that option.

In framing his amendment, Deputy Kelleher, in whose stead Deputy Troy moved the amendment, has misunderstood the purpose of the Bill. What is at issue here is a statement which limits capacity. At present, it is open to the Minister of the day - that is, me or any of my successors - to apply the charge in respect of a period of 20, 30, 40 or 100 days. What I am doing is limiting the period up to a maximum of 15 days. While the new limit will be ten days and, as a result and in light of the increased charge, the maximum amount payable will be €800. If I were to leave matters as they stand, there would be nothing to prevent me or one of my successors from increasing the period to 20 days at a cost of €75 per day. What I am doing is providing, in the context of the maximum of 15 days, the certainty to which Deputy Catherine Murphy alluded. However, I am not saying that I intend to increase it to 15 days. My intention at present is to leave it at ten days. I am also putting in place a limit whereby I will be prevented from increasing it above 15 days. Currently, I could apply the charge in respect of a period of 15 days, 100 days or whatever.

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