Dara Calleary (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

The existing scheme referred to by Senator Callely was terminated in the previous Finance Act in 2009. We have had no representations from the Department of Health and Children as regards a need to revisit that decision. Any revisiting of the decision to terminate the scheme, as outlined, would require Government approval.

The Senator has referred to specific shortages in north Dublin and we would not get the go-head under EU state aid rules to introduce a specific geographic scheme. I believe the last scheme drove the development of a great many nursing homes, perhaps, in areas where we possibly did not want them. They did not necessarily respond to the demographics. At this stage there are no plans to revisit the scheme, but I shall get the Senator a detailed note on this and will forward it to him next week.

Section 43 agreed to.

Section 44 agreed to.

SECTION 45.