Ms Lorraine Dempsey:

Inclusion Ireland welcomes the opportunity to be here. Since the beginning of the Covid-19 period, in March 2020, we have seen many health and social care services, including disability day services, closed to people with intellectual disabilities. Thankfully, day supports have remained open during the second and third lockdowns, albeit on a limited basis for many and a little or not at all for a few. Inclusion Ireland has previously addressed Oireachtas committees on the multiple suspensions of children's disability services and the lack of educational supports during school closures, which parents report has affected the development of their children, many of whom were regressing. This cessation and then reopening of these services has had a significant negative impact on people, affecting their well-being and independence and the mental health of people with disabilities and their families. Prior to Covid, many people with an intellectual disability told us they felt invisible and poorly treated by mental health services and that they were struggling to access them. Now, given the impact of the pandemic on the mental health of people with an intellectual disability, there is expected to be an increased need for mental health services as a result of Covid-19. It is vital that the mental health intellectual disability programme is rolled out, funded and established in communities across the country.

More than three years on from the ratification of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities in 2018, Ireland is at an important juncture at which the Government must show leadership in its implementation. The new Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth must show leadership and actively promote the implementation of the convention across all Departments. One crucial element of the convention's implementation is the ratification at the earliest opportunity of the optional protocol. Another important aspect of ratifying the convention is the full commencement of the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act 2015. The Act was enacted several years ago but is yet to be fully commenced. We need to see action on swift commencement of the decision support service and to ensure that the issue of those being made wards of court as a result of the Act not being fully commenced is redressed as soon as possible. Full commencement of the Act is essential to ensuring that individuals with disabilities have the support to exercise decision-making and choice in their own lives. It also plays a key role in the State's compliance with the UN convention.

The Government's Time to Move On from Congregated Settings policy was clear in recommending that all congregated settings be closed by 2018. This simply has not happened. In total, 8,300 people currently live in residential services, with an additional 1,500 people with a disability under the age of 65 living in nursing homes. According to HIQA, these figures include approximately 2,900 people living in congregated settings. We know the consequences and risks of this arising from Covid-19 over the past year. The convention is clear in its opposition to institutionalised living and on the right of people with disabilities to live a life in the community. It is, therefore, imperative that the Irish State ceases the continued use of institutions that are in clear breach of domestic and international rights and increases funding to accelerate the deinstitutionalisation process.

One of the biggest barriers facing people with an intellectual disability in accessing social housing is the clear lack of available support services that are required for them to live in their own homes. People who need supports in their homes have no clear pathway to apply for these supports. Through our advocacy work we have found that many people report being placed high on social housing waiting lists due to their disability but then not being able to access social housing through their local authorities due to the support services not being readily available at the right time. This must be addressed.

I will now hand over to Ms Browne, my colleague, who will speak on the work of the Disability Participation and Consultation Network.