Fiona O'Loughlin (Kildare South, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Thank you very much, joint, joint, joint Chair, which I believe is the Chairman's title for this meeting. I really appreciate the initiative the Chairman has taken and the invitation to participate in this meeting.

I really appreciate the initiative the Co-Chairman, Deputy Curran, has taken and the invitation to participate in this joint, joint, joint meeting. As Chairman of the Joint Committee on Education and Skills, I am delighted to participate in this meeting to undertake to remove the barriers to people with disabilities in making the transition from education and training into employment.

I declare a personal interest in that I worked with Special Olympics Ireland for many years and had the opportunity to witness and experience the wonderful talents and abilities of people with disabilities. I have a brother, Cathal, who has Down's syndrome and the pride he takes in his job is equal to the pride I take in my job.

I completely understand the value of meeting together with the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection and the Joint Committee on Health, with the potential to ensure that our consideration is not limited to the remit of one committee, but that we can explore matters in a more comprehensive way both today and subsequently with the Department.

It is acknowledged that while there are still barriers for those with a disability who want to pursue third level education, there are fewer barriers today than ten or 20 years ago. However, it seems that the gains in removing those barriers are lost when people try to get employment afterwards. We need to consider how we can incentivise both people with disabilities and their employers.

We look forward to hearing the views of the experts present as to the extent of the problems and barriers, and the possible solutions. As I mentioned to the Co-Chairman, Deputy Curran, yesterday, I have been working with the Ceann Comhairle's office and the Houses of the Oireachtas Commission on establishing an internship for people with intellectual disabilities here in Leinster House because I believe we have to be leaders and show example. I am delighted that there will be a joint partnership with Care, which serves west Wicklow, and WALK from the Walkinstown area starting in September. That welcome development will help highlight the area.