Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

There were three questions on disability concerning the UN convention, assessment of need and respite care.

I thank Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony for her question. I feel very strongly about the UN convention. The Deputy is absolutely right that it is a very important issue for the disability sector in Ireland. We have 645,000 people with some form of disability. I also feel very strongly that we cannot hold back on ratification until the ink is dry on every remaining item of legislation. We have made major progress in the last weeks, particularly up to Christmas. We got the €3 million to start up the decision support service and there is wide consultation in train on the deprivation of liberty; the Deputy may have seen the advertisements in the paper over the Christmas period. I want to make sure every disability group and organisation as well as every organisation that advocates for senior citizens is involved in the process. That is partly the reason for the delay.

The important thing is that we have a clear plan now. On 30 January, the Government decided to authorise the ratification of the UN convention. That is phase 1. I am hoping to have a resolution before the Dáil in the next two weeks. My target in that regard is mid-February. For the deposit of the instrument for the ratification, my target date is the end of February. In the meantime, I will be looking for support from all the political parties to allow me some space in respect of the deprivation of liberty issue, the disability Bill and some of the other instruments that have to be put in place. My objective is to have the resolution before the Dáil in the next week or two and to ratify the convention by the end of the month. I totally accept the criticisms of the delays. A lot of complex issues arose, particularly around deprivation of liberty, and we want to get the legislation right. We have it at the moment and are waiting for final consultation.

The UN convention sends out a strong message to every person on this island that we care about them and that we care about the rights of all people with disabilities. More importantly, as well as caring we are putting in place the services to support them. On jobs, for example, the UN convention should improve the economic prospects of people with disabilities. In respect of gender equality, the convention will be of benefit to all persons with disabilities including women with disabilities. Article 6 of the convention deals specifically with the position of women with disabilities. Another issue that is important for people with disabilities and their families is that of poverty. Implementation of the convention should improve the lives and chances of people with disabilities in reducing the incidence of poverty, particularly among people with disabilities but also in rural communities, which is an issue that arose this week. The convention puts inclusion at the top of the political agenda.

As stated, I am aiming to have a resolution before the Dáil in mid-February and ratification by the end of February. Hopefully nothing will go wrong this time.