Results 1-20 of 4,596 for speaker:Dessie Ellis

Petrol and Diesel Excise Rate Increases: Motion [Private Members] (30 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: As many commuters have found to their cost, having to rely on public transport in Ireland, in Dublin in particular, is very challenging. A great number of people rely on public transport to get to their place of work, to university or to college. Often, however, they are faced with unpredictable delays, insufficient coverage, capacity issues and accessibility challenges for mothers with...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I thank Mr. Jones and Ms Ellis for their opening statements. It is interesting to see how the Garda and the court system is dealing with the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, and its implementation. It is very important. Ms Denning said that 7% of the workforce in the Courts Service have declared themselves as having disabilities. That is well below the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: It is the time factor relating to when the person arrives at or is brought to the station. In some cases, it can be an hour or two hours and the person has come down from the psychosis. I have experienced this on a number of occasions. People were let out when they should not have been but it happens.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (24 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I understand.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I thank the witnesses for the introduction. Most of what I experience comes from my constituents telling me what problems they face. I know that some of the problems we face involve people getting on buses and wheelchair spaces being taken up. I know that most buses have one wheelchair place and some have two. What are the plans to improve the process? The drivers have made it clear they...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: It can be messy.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: Is there a way for the bus driver to communicate from the cab warning people they are in breach of what they should be doing? Is there a mechanism?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I have a further question. A lot of people are now being pushed to going on public transport. We are promoting public transport. A lot of people have pets and they may want to take them from A to B but we do not have a real plan when it comes to anyone getting onto a bus with a dog or something like that. I am just curious if that will be addressed in the future. I would love to know...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: That is what I mean. That is what I am saying. I am talking about in general. Is there any thought that this can be advanced in some way?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: Older people especially have little dogs. It is their lifeblood.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (Resumed) (17 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I know that.

National Cancer Strategy: Motion [Private Members] (16 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: Cancer remains one of the leading causes of death across the State. It is particularly prevalent in areas of the country that are more economically disadvantaged. A report published by National Cancer Registry Ireland in 2023 showed that people in such areas have an almost 30% higher risk of dying from cancer within five years of diagnosis than those from less economically vulnerable areas....

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everyone for their contributions and input. In the context of Article 27 on work and employment, Ireland has one of the lowest rates of employment of people with disabilities in the EU. The situation is a lot worse in disadvantaged areas than in affluent areas and we need a targeted approach to deal with that. Will the witnesses give their views on how we address that gap and deal...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: The Northside Partnership was mentioned. At one stage, we did not cover a lot of areas. We did not cover Santry, for instance, and now we have expanded into those and other areas, which I think was absolutely necessary. We have a better picture of things now.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities at Local Level: Discussion (10 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: Is there not an onus on companies to take a proportion of people with disabilities? Is there any sort of guide in this regard? If we are trying to get people with disabilities into employment, even with the local authorities or wherever, do we not have any sort of target of any description in this regard?

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Role of Disabled Persons Organisations and Self Advocacy in Providing Equal Opportunities under the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities Implementation: Discussion (8 Apr 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I thank everyone who came here today. We have heard from various different people involved in disability services. It is mind-boggling when you listen to all the different areas that have been addressed. We know that about 20% of the population have some form of disability. That is a huge number of people. I thank Ellen, Jean, Gary, Claire and Derek for their input. A number of things...

General Practice and Local Health Services: Motion (20 Mar 2024)

Dessie Ellis: My constituency of Dublin North-West has a large urban population of approximately 90,000 but it has a severe lack of medical facilities. This area has been neglected for many years and has been badly served when it comes to the provision of health services. For example, there has not been a single GP in the north and west of Finglas for more than 20 years. This alone should make the...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I have read all the submissions. I was a bit late getting here. I was delayed on an unexpected call, unfortunately. I am curious about the increased cost of funding, especially in the context of housing grants and so on.

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Dessie Ellis: Yes, for housing adaptations. Is there a plan? The Minister of State said work on a review is at an advanced stage and that he will bring forward regulations to govern the scheme. I would like to hear more about what that means for housing adaptation grants, including those for older people. The Minister of State will be aware that some local authorities implement the grants well and...

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters: Planning for Inclusive Communities: Minister of State at the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage (20 Mar 2024)

Dessie Ellis: I am talking about council properties specifically. There are some complexes where two units have been turned into one. Are there any further plans in that regard? Many people spend a great deal of time in these places, and it is not really a good environment for them. I hope the Minister of State will give me an idea as to whether anything is being done about that. In the context of...