John Curran (Dublin Mid West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

Deputy O'Loughlin, who chairs the Joint Committee on Education and Skills is en route. She is a little late but she will be here shortly. We have received apologies from Senator John Dolan, Deputy Margaret Murphy O'Mahony, Deputy Michael Harty, Deputy Hildegarde Naughton, Senator Paul Gavan and Senator Lynn Ruane.

The witnesses are all welcome to the meeting of the Joint Committee on Employment Affairs and Social Protection, the Joint Committee on Education and Skills and the Joint Committee on Health. This is the third meeting of this configuration of three committees. We are continuing our discussion on the necessity to improve the supports available for people with disabilities intending to transition from education or training into employment. The three joint committees first met the Disability Federation of Ireland and Inclusion Ireland on 3 May. We subsequently heard contributions from individuals of their lived experiences at our last meeting on 29 May. Today's meeting will focus on the input from departmental representations. I hope that our combined efforts and consideration will enable us to make some real proposals that will improve the outcomes for people with disabilities. The content of the previous meetings has been circulated to the Departments and, therefore, officials will know the issues we have examined.

I welcome the attendance of colleagues today. Specifically, I welcome Ms Simonetta Ryan and Mr. John Bohan from the Department of Employment Affairs and Social Protection, Mr. Jim Mulkerrins and Mr. Phil O’Flaherty from the Department of Education and Skills and Ms Patsy Carr and Mr. Dave O'Connor from the Department of Health. They are all welcome. I will ask them to make your opening statements presently and then committee members will have a number of questions.

I wish to draw the witnesses' attention to the fact that by virtue of section 17(2)(l) of the Defamation Act 2009, witnesses are protected by absolute privilege in respect of their evidence to the committee. However, if they are directed by the committee to cease giving evidence on a particular matter and they continue to so do, they are entitled thereafter only to a qualified privilege in respect of their evidence. Witnesses are directed that only evidence connected with the subject matter of these proceedings is to be given and they are asked to respect the parliamentary practice to the effect that, where possible, they should not criticise or make charges against any person, persons or entity by name or in such a way as to make him, her or it identifiable.

Members are reminded of the long-standing parliamentary practice to the effect that they should not comment on, criticise or make charges against a person outside the House or an official either by name or in such a way as to make him or her identifiable.

There is no particular order for the speakers. The first person I will ask to make an opening statement is Ms Ryan.