Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

This is an excellent discussion. I thank the witnesses for their contributions so far and the information they provided prior to the meeting. A wealth of areas could be mentioned, but I specifically want to touch on the optional protocol. I know it was discussed earlier, but I had a recent communication with the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, where she committed to the ratification of the optional protocol once the UN has responded to the State report on the UNCRPD. What is the response of the witnesses to that? We are aware that the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, IHREC, recommended its ratification on the same day as the UNCRPD was ratified. I ask the witnesses to comment on that.

I also note that the DFI has discussed its involvement with the vulnerable people subgroup of the National Public Health Emergency Team, NPHET, and the need for the group to continue. Along with other committee members, I called for the reinstatement of the group. I want to raise the matter at today's meeting to get a response in that regard.

Much of the information that has been discussed so far shows the frustration on the part of people with disabilities given the lack of implementation, in addition to the stark figures on the rate of poverty and social exclusion for people with disabilities, which is one of the highest in the EU at 38.1%. Inclusion Ireland mentioned in its submission that targeted interventions are needed in households where there is a disabled person, as highlighted by the ESRI. Could Ms Dempsey touch on that and indicate what interventions are needed to change this trend?

I wish to move on to housing before I finish. It would be great if we saw Wicklow County Council's idea of setting up the committee replicated across all local authorities. That is something the committee could seek to progress in the near future. In the interim, how do we ensure collaboration between local authorities and the HSE? Could we, as public representatives, facilitate that in any way?

Could the committee do anything to address the lack of data or could we work with the witnesses on an ongoing basis to identify where we could fill the gaps and how we could apply pressure in that regard?