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

I will take the whole lot together. I thank the Senator for all his work. The Oireachtas disability group is a valuable tool and Deputy Ó Caoláin is the vice-chairman. It is important we have multiple voices. On the Senator's initial points I have not seen the Inclusion Ireland document yet but I meet the organisation regularly and work closely with it. I am on the issue and I will have a look at that to see if there is something in it later, when I get an opportunity.

Turning to the budget issue, I spoke last Monday morning at the DFI conference where I met many of its members. I will also meet the DFI and the Senator in the next couple of weeks on the issue of the budget and the multi-annual funding. I support it but the Senator is correct that funding has to be provided by every Department. We have to ensure everybody in different Departments gets the issue of disability and that it is not just the Minister of State with special responsibility for disabilities talking about the €1.7 billion in funding for the social care policy plan in 2018. It has to involve transport, young people in nursing homes and decongregation etc. I get that and it is my job to make sure my Cabinet colleagues get it as well.

There has been progress on the mindset and cultural change. I notice that regularly when I speak at Cabinet level on disability issues. I try to bring in everybody involved, whether it is the Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport, Health, Education and Skills or Employment Affairs and Social Protection. I accept the criticism regarding balance that we have a hell of a long way to go to change the broader mindset both in government and in society but that is part of my agenda. The important aspect is to understand that the broader Dáil and society, and committees like this, have played a leading role. When I was in opposition and when it came to civil rights, human rights and equality issues, I always found the Oireachtas committees pushed out the boat and set the broader agenda. That is important to me in as Minister of State with special responsibility for disabilities. I would love €200 million in the budget this year and-----