Mr. Michael McCabe:

I believe that people should not get a PA allocated without training. It is an important part of the relationship because some people can abuse the PAs.

On the question of personalised budgets I would imagine that some people have them already, although it is not publicised very well. I met a friend last week who has 40 hours. It is not enough, but he has direct payments. I understand that people are worried. Young people with disabilities are no different than anybody else. They have to live in their own way, live their own lives and make mistakes like everybody else does. Parents can be very overprotective but they are not doing any favours for their kids.