Dr. Joanne McCarthy:

I have been trying to find a way to make this point. I will focus on Senator Dolan's concept of value. We know that what is counted is valued. One can hear a great deal from the HSE regarding outputs. Often, in the context of the types of services we are talking about today, there is no counting of unmet need. The number of PA hours that are not being delivered in a particular region are not counted. They are not looking at the number of respite services that are required in a particular region for families that are trying to support loved ones at home but just need that extra support. That is not counted. That the community services and supports available are not valued can often be seen in the fact that they are not counted. Once it is counted, one must acknowledge the increasing level of demand and the inability of the system, as it stands, to meet it. I want to use this opportunity to allow people to understand that it is not just about the funding, it is also about not gathering the evidence of the need that is there. It is also about how organisations at community level are being stretched in terms of trying to fill the gaps regarding something that is not actually been acknowledged or counted.