Jennifer Murnane O'Connor (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I confirm I am in Leinster House. I thank all of the witnesses. Their presentations were excellent. Ms Dempsey spoke about people with intellectual disabilities being prioritised on housing lists. They should be prioritised, and it is something on which we need to work because we need a lot more support and help in this regard. There are issues with support services. Does Ms Dempsey know of a local authority that she feels is doing it right? Is there a model version? Do we need to look at other jurisdictions? This is very important. I am conscious that the closing date for the first round of the consultation for the new national housing strategy for people with disabilities closes on 23 April. Have many submissions been made? Is Ms Dempsey happy that it is to close on 23 April?

I thank Ms Browne for her presentation. She spoke about the challenging start for the network, with five organisations within a very short timeframe consulting more than 100 members on the State's report. We need to look at the timeframe. We also need to look at supports. During Covid we have virtual meetings. Does Ms Browne believe that if the timeframe was extended, the network would be able to meet when everyone is vaccinated? I understand we have to get the vaccinations right. Does Ms Browne think this would be the long-term goal? Is the network looking at setting up various teams, such as for transport or social welfare? We see people with disabilities and intellectual disabilities in poverty. Is the network looking at adults or children? Is there a bigger plan for this on which Ms Browne could give us information?

I thank Mr. Dolan for his presentation. It is important that responsibility for disability is being moved from the Department of Health to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. I understand it is progressing very slowly. Perhaps this is something we need to address. I have had several meetings with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and it is important that the transition happens very quickly. From working with the Minister of State, and from this meeting where we have spoken about primary care and occupational therapy, I know there are many issues we need to address very quickly. Funding is another issue. We need to make sure there is proper funding.

I also want to speak about the summer programme. We need to get the summer programme right. Various organisations need to be able to input to it, to make sure we deliver a proper summer programme. The closure of schools and home education has been very hard on families and children. This is important.

I agree with Dr. McCarthy that the database is important. It worries me that we do not have a database and it is something we should also look at. To go back to Mr. Dolan, we have to implement our policies. This is something we in the Oireachtas must focus on. It is something we need to make sure that we do.

I thank all of the witnesses. There is so much information that we need to work on and we can play a part.