Seán Power (Kildare South, Fianna Fail)

This amendment would have a significant effect on Exchequer financing. If patients who are treated in more than one institution in a year cannot be charged this would be a change in practice which would reduce the funds available from charges and therefore have a clear impact on the resources available for the provision of the health services generally. The intent of the Bill is to put the charging for long-term care on a solid legal footing and in doing so to preserve the resources available to the health service. I cannot accept this amendment.