Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

The committee should have a meeting at least once a year on the whole area of disability, with the witnesses coming back before us to tell us of the progress that has been made. I acknowledge the tremendous work done by the groups present today. I was at the photo exhibition and the pictures tell the story better than any words. They really brought home the reality of life for people with disabilities. Disability cannot be an afterthought or tagged on to the end of things. I have two suggestions. First, budgets should be disability-proofed. We already gender-proof and climate-proof them so disability-proofing should be seriously considered. Second, a certain percentage of aid, whether bilateral or multilateral, should be directed towards the disability area. We could have a campaign to achieve this as it is a very practical way to get funding. There are many positives in A Better World but I am disappointed that disability is not on the priority list. It is acknowledged elsewhere so the question about how Irish Aid will push the disability aspect is very valid.

How can the groups present today disaggregate the data? It is very important to do so.