Professor Joyce O'Connor:

Exactly. That was what was suggested, namely, that in each of these areas, the NGOs that are being paid for by the State through the taxpayer could work with the primary care teams and the GPs. The GPs do not have the capacity to deal with all interventions. They could not possibly do so, and Deputy Rabbitte is honest enough to say that. Therefore, patients can be referred to these other bodies. Section 39 organisations, to which Deputy Brassil referred, are in place but they are not aligned with the policy. What the Minister can do is say to them is that if they are being funded by the State, this is how they must work. They should not work off their own bat.