Professor Malcolm MacLachlan:

I will come in again on the issue of the HSE being a great place to work despite the criticism it receives. I will give the committee an example of that. In the midst of the pandemic last year, I was contacted by people from the UK. This is relevant to the fact that yesterday was World Down Syndrome Day. Those people from the UK informed me that the mortality rate among people with Down's syndrome was six times higher in the UK than in Ireland. That reflects the sort of professionalism and dedication of our HSE staff and the staff in section 38 and 39 institutions. That is the professionalism we need to build on.

I cannot think of an area in health or social care that brings together rights and social-based approaches. There are many fascinating and empowering developments in digital and assistive technologies and a whole swathe of interventions and supports around health and social services. Along with my colleagues, I encourage people to come and work in the disability area. There is a great future to which those people can contribute. There is nothing in our current challenges that cannot be addressed by increasing the pipeline of supply of professions and revising the Disability Act.