Professor Malcolm MacLachlan:

I wish to reiterate a few points. It is definitely not dilution of the law but rather we agree with the ombudsman in calling for a realignment of the Act to provide the necessary services and resources for those services.

We have already heard that the EPSEN Act is being reviewed. I am sure members will be very familiar with the fact that sections 3 to 13 of the Act were never commenced. Therefore, the resources were not available to do what the Act asked for. Section 13 is the section where the Oireachtas agrees to provide the resources necessary to the Minister of the day.

On behalf of people who provide disability services, I would just like to say that many people who work through the HSE and the section 38 and 39 organisations are extremely proud of the services they provide. They have a very strong motivation and many people feel it is a vocation and a privilege to work with people with disability. We are very aware that people are being let down by a lack of resources through the number of available people to provide that service. I have already mentioned that in terms of the need to upskill people. I am afraid I have to disagree with Deputy Cullinane. I am very proud of the application of people in front-line services in the HSE and section 38 and 39 organisations. We should be trying to support the resources we have rather than to bring shame on them.