John McGuinness (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

In the few seconds I have left, I wish to state the community sector and the private sector are facing the same problems, as described by the witnesses and outlined in the submission of Seas Suas. It comes down to finance and supporting a new model. There was reference to a cost of €2 billion in the context of the Scandinavian model. We must strive towards some sort of goal and having excellence in this area. It comes down to the same things: overhead costs, deferred costs, the cost of regulation and red tape and so on. If all these problems exist even though there is a dedicated Minister and Department, I can only imagine what it would be like without them. The witnesses and those they represent need to make their voices heard much more loudly around these Houses. I acknowledge that they have been lobbying, but the issues remain. Although all members are here to help them address those issues, the specifics regarding money and funding, particularly grants, must be made clear to everyone.