Aisling Dolan (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

We had a new store opened at home by Vision Ireland, which is the new name for the NCBI. The new name has been chosen to show that the organisation's work is to do with visual impairment. Sometimes people think of complete blindness but many individuals have a vision impairment throughout their lives. When I was at the shop, I got to meet two older ladies who have macular degeneration. They spoke of how Vision Ireland provides equipment. They were grateful for the help they get from this charity. For all the things around fundraising, we forget that every time you spend money in a charity shop, it goes to a charity which will deliver aid, working with Government supports. It is crucial, along with sustainable fashion, circular economies and so on, that we know every time we spend in a local charity shop, donate or give something, it is making an impact. One of those older ladies had in her pocket a magnifying glass. When she mentioned it, I was thinking of the ones you get in pound shops, but she had a proper magnifying glass, a piece of equipment she could use. She showed me how to use it on the phone, when reading something on a laptop or even in the newspaper. These shops are in every town across Ireland. Loss of vision or peripheral vision can impact any of us. We are fortunate to have among us Senator Conway, who is always advocating for people with vision impairment. I highlight that these shops are opening and that shopping local and shopping in charity shops supports everyone.