Colm Burke (Cork North Central, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank all the organisations for the work they have done in very challenging times. With more than 6,000 people in residential settings, it is significant that people were protected so well. I believe only 166 people were identified as having Covid. It is welcome that the number is so small in these very challenging settings. I compliment all the staff working in them.

I wish to focus on the long-term challenges we now have in the disability sector and also with the growing elderly population. I believe the Disability Federation of Ireland represents more than 120 different organisations. About 2,500 section 38 and 39 organisations provide essential services throughout the country in a range of areas. Covid has highlighted the challenges. Is it time for a joint approach and amalgamation of services rather than everyone working in a different pathway?

A number of years ago a multiplicity of unions represented workers. Over a period of time they came together and the unions achieved much more as a result. Should organisations in the disability sector come together rather than acting independently? In the past six years, the number of full-time staff in the HSE has gone from 103,000 to 123,000. That has not happened in the disability sector, meaning that it is getting squeezed in the process. Rather than having so many independent organisations, is it now time for organisations to consider amalgamating, allowing them to provide a far more comprehensive service?