Fergus O'Dowd (Louth, Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I support all the speakers I have heard. We agree absolutely that we are in an appalling and unacceptable situation, not just for the families and their support but also for the people who actually have the disabilities such as autism and all other diagnoses and multiple diagnoses. In many cases these disabilities leave them with a very poor quality of life and the families are also really suffering. A number of parents have been in touch with me. One has a 25 year old daughter who is severely disabled and completely dependent for everything. The mother writes that it is very hard on her body to look after her. Her back is in absolute agony from the physical demand. She is emotionally drained and down in herself at all times. Other parents have more than one child with a disability. They are absolutely frustrated and angry. They are spending all their energy trying to look after their loved ones and it is just not working for them. I refer to a parent of a teenage son who has multiple disabilities and is 15 years old. He is over 6 ft tall and the mother is not able physically to meet his needs but has been refused a residential place for him.

In view of all the points the witnesses have made and that we are making here, how do we ensure there is action? The situation may well be exacerbated by the flu that is on its way and perhaps by a return of the coronavirus. We need a plan. One of the witnesses referred earlier to everybody getting together. Is there a forum through which we can insist on this to the Minister, the HSE and everybody else, including the bodies and advocates for families? Where is our next step? We can talk here all day but what action are we going to take as a result?