Hildegarde Naughton (Galway West, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I thank the witnesses for their excellent presentations this morning. They outlined very well a lot of the challenges that need to be addressed. The Association for Higher Education Access and Disability has said there is a greater than 5% increase in the number of people with disabilities attending third level, which is very positive when one looks back to what it was 20 years ago. However, not everyone wants or needs to go to third level. The issue of apprenticeships was raised, for example. The witnesses have spoken very well on career guidance and its importance within mainstream schools for that transition and to allow pupils to maximise their potential, whether they have a disability or not. I take note of all that. Are there any other supports within the mainstream of primary and secondary education which would help people with disabilities to maximise their potential and assist them with that transition? I ask the witnesses to highlight any other areas.

I note Dr. Patricia McCarthy's personal experience and the fact that she is asked about family supporting her. In our experience as public representatives, it can often work against people with disabilities that they are living in the family home or are getting those supports. Of course, families care for people. I deal with younger people trying to transition from secondary school to the workplace or to third level and independent living, whether in a shared living space or not. There are housing issues, of course, and if one is living in the family, that can work against one. There is an emotional dilemma for parents who ask themselves whether their children would receive better support if they cut all ties. It is a huge issue and a valid point was raised in that regard.

There is a huge area we need to look at to support people with disabilities, allowing them to have that independent living and helping them to transition into whatever they want to do, whether it is an apprenticeship or the workplace. All of this will help them from a holistic living point of view. If there are any other supports needed within primary secondary school to facilitate that transition, can the witnesses set them out?