To ask the Minister of Health, Social Services and Public Safety to detail (i) his plans to review the costing structures for Adult Social Care across Health and Social Care Trusts; and (ii) whether the costing structures for Adult Social Care are needs based.

My Department is currently taking forward a three stage process to reform adult care and support, which will set the future strategic direction for adult social care services. It will also look at how services are funded, with the aim of ensuring the adult care and support system of the future is fit for purpose, efficient and sustainable for years to come.

Adult social care services are provided on the basis of assessed clinical need. Assessments of need for individuals require input from a range of multi-disciplinary professional and clinical staff. If a primary need for social care is identified and such need is met in a residential or nursing