Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Good morning to all our guests. It is great to hear from all of them. Since the time is limited, I have some questions I would like to ask. Every member of this committee is very anxious to do what he or she can to implement the UNCRPD but I do not want to see this committee consigned to history as being full of good intentions while having no teeth to get things done. In this regard, reference was made to many reviews, reports and strategies that were prepared but whose recommendations were not, or not fully, implemented. Could Mr. Dolan expand on his proposal to have the Department of the Taoiseach operate a project management function? How can this committee make that happen, and what should we be doing to make something of that nature happen to ensure we achieve what we set out to do? We have had a number of meetings with Ministers and have raised issues with them. I acknowledge that our work has been hampered by the Covid restrictions and that we should have a lot more done than we have but it is difficult when trying to talk to Ministers on a media platform rather than face to face. I find we do not get the answers we want to many of the questions we ask. The lack of independent supported living, which I see as a cornerstone of the UNCRPD, is raised with me constantly. What we are seeing is a lack of co-ordination between local authorities and the HSE. How can we do something about that and move it on?

What are the delegates' thoughts on how we could address and perhaps reverse the regression the closure of schools has resulted in for many students with additional educational needs? Is there something that could be put in place, such as enhanced July provision and other supports, in schools? The waiting lists for intervention and therapy seem to grow longer all the time. The withdrawing of therapists to do contact tracing has had a negative impact in this regard. We keep getting assured that the therapists are back in place but that is not what I am hearing from many parents. The waiting lists seem to be getting longer. Children who get an assessment of need often have to wait years for any sort of intervention.