In line with a Government decision, an expenditure review of the nursing home subvention scheme has been undertaken by my Department in association with the Department of Finance. The objectives of the review of the subvention scheme were, inter alia, to examine the objectives of the nursing home subvention scheme and the extent to which they remain valid, to assess the service delivered and to establish what scope, if any, exists for achieving the programme objectives by other more efficient and effective means. This review was launched last week in association with my colleague, the Minister for Social and Family Affairs who also launched a report on the future financing of long-term care in Ireland.