Labour has slammed the Taoiseach for dismissing a disability worker on the election campaign trail in Co Cork.

The woman told Simon Harris in Kanturk he has done nothing for the disability sector which he denied before walking away.

The Taoiseach has since apologised online for the incident.

Labour Senator and Dublin central candidate Marie Sherlock says his attitude reflects poorly on his party's approach to the disability sector.

“I think that interaction reflects the neglect by successive Fine Gael governments of Section 39 organisations,” she said.

“There has been a huge failure to respect the work that has been done by these workers, often for the most vulnerable people across this country, in terms of the demand for pay parity with HSE workers.”

Section 39 health organisations provide services to society and local communities across the country.

This includes hospices, mental health providers, nursing home and homecare providers, small community-based groups and social care services.

The agencies are independent of the HSE, but receive public money to provide disability, homelessness, addiction and other services.