Ms Anne Winslow:

I would like to pick up on what will happen. Deputy Kelleher and Senator Dolan made some points on section 39 being seen almost as a soft option. The sector brings a huge amount of added value in various ways, through fundraising, through extra voluntary time and through the huge commitment out there in the community. This impacts on community services that we believe in, and which are so critical to enabling families and people with disabilities who live at home. Those services are often unseen; it may be half an hour or one hour in the home. In keeping with Senator Dolan's point, if we withdrew those services or the organisations withdrew, there would be a huge direct impact on people with disabilities and on the employees. In some cases the HSE would come in and fund the services because they would be very visible, especially in residential situations. The HSE would pay the pay that is required and bring the terms and conditions. In some instances it would be a huge loss and impact on families. Yet again it would be the most vulnerable who would be impacted.