Ms Catherine Keogh:

I have a very brief point. We echo everything that our SIPTU colleagues are seeking and we do not need to repeat them. Everything unions seek has a cost but I remind everyone of the astronomical difference between the cost of keeping someone at home compared with the cost of long-term care.

The difference between the two is absolutely astronomical. There is value in investing more in home support services. It makes good fiscal sense, apart from the points that we have made today.

Chairman: The point is that families come to home support service providers. Politicians, in particular, make that point all tha. We heard earlier on that in the submission in relation to people being burnt out, spousal care - they are looking after their loved one day and night. The difficulty of - it was mentioned about people going to the post office, going out to the shops - that head space if your hours are not together. In the SIPTU submission, it mentioned the different CHO 7, CHO 1 and so on and the different vacancies in each CHO. What is the reality of those vacancies not being filled? What is the impact on the ground in relation to those families who are - those vacancies that are there. I ask the witnesses to elaborate on that.