Alice-Mary Higgins (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Minister and the Minister of State for the presentations and for the genuine enthusiasm they are clearly bringing to this role. Of course, I also thank them both for making clear that they take a rights-based approach to the area of disability.

In that regard, I know we are pressing the Minister continuously but it would be useful for him to give us an indication of when - for example, in which quarter of next year - he expects to have reached the stage in the process that would allow us to move forward with the ratification of the optional protocol. I say that because the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities took such a long time that people are necessarily keen to make sure the optional protocol does not get delayed in the same way.

The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities is very important for the individuals but it is also a kind of mandate for the transformation of society. People have spoken about what powers the Minister has, and there are soft powers in terms of things like universal design and statutory resources, but I would suggest that there is also a public duty with regard to equality and human rights. Will the Minister indicate how he plans to ensure that disability-proofing, which is already an existing requirement in terms of the public duty on equality and human rights, is something that Departments are engaging with actively? I am thinking as well in terms of the strategy statements that Departments are making at the moment and in terms of their procurement of services, which is very important. In the area of transport, for example, we have seen that contracted services in some cases do not meet disability standards, and have not done so in terms of buses. How do we make sure it is followed through the full way?

There is the disability (miscellaneous provisions) Bill and it was mentioned that another new Bill is coming through. It may be that a few Bills are required in this area but when can we expect the first disability (miscellaneous provisions) Bill to come to the Oireachtas? Again, the timing for that would be useful. The Minister will be aware that the former Senator, John Dolan, and I were the co-signatories of a Bill that was previously put forward on disability and community participation. It sought to translate the UN convention into actual participation measures, for example, in regard to inclusive playgrounds and inclusive public spaces or parks. The Minister might indicate if that area of community participation is one we might be able to engage on. Of course, there is also cultural participation for people with a disability. As well as those areas of essential services and supports, there is the issue of how we change society so it is an inclusive, participative society.

I have a few specific questions, some of which have been touched on. In terms of employment, I was a member of the employment affairs and social protection committee when it found that the reasonable accommodation and workplace adaptation grants run out very early in the year. It is not just an awareness issue, but also a resourcing issue. There may also need to be a redesign, so those resources come with the person. In a context where we are looking at remote working hubs and a change in how the workplace is configured, we need to make sure the participation of people with disabilities is considered in the design and that there is a scaling up in resources for workplace adaptation.

There is a concern with regard to the continuity of support after working age. There is a particular concern that persons with a disability lose their disability allowance and their visibility as a person with a disability when they reach retirement age. It is an example of another issue that needs to be taken up with the Department of Social Protection. It is a real concern.

Another key transition point is when people turn 18. We found that when people move from education, or between education and training and work, the age of 18 is a point where people lose services and lose opportunities.

There is also the key transition point mentioned by others in regard to early identification diagnosis and support. There is a massive concern in the context of Covid that because of the redeployment of key healthcare officials and professionals like speech therapists and occupational therapists, people are not getting diagnostic support or arrows to supports at an early point. Can the Minister indicate what measures are in place? Obviously, people are free to seek employment where they want, but we need to encourage those in occupational therapy and speech therapy to remain in those roles and to scale up employment in that area. I worry that late assessment is going to cost many children opportunities in later life.

Personal assistance services were another area of concern during Covid. I was in NUI Galway on the day the first lockdown was declared. One of the people I was talking to was a person with a disability whose first concern was whether, if they were not in the university, they would still have personal assistance access. Given the use of agency work around personal assistants, there is a real concern on that point.

On independent living, will the Minister confirm he is not looking at changes to smaller congregated settings but at independent living supported, for example, by personal assistance?