David Cullinane (Waterford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will just make one final observation. I thank the witnesses for their responses, and I fully support all of their requests. Obviously, we need to be practical in terms of how quickly we can respond to those requests but it must be done and the strategy must be properly resourced.

I want to comment on the section 39 organisations and their funding model. Unfortunately I did not have time to pose questions on that but I am fully aware of the sustainability needs of that area. There are issues in relation to staff and pay and conditions which need to be addressed if we are going to recruit and retain staff within section 39 organisations. When it comes to neurology, the voluntary sector and the section 39 organisations are significant providers of services and we need to make sure there is a sustainable funding model for that sector. I did not want to finish my contribution without recognising that. I thank all of our witnesses.