Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank all of the witnesses for coming in today. The debate has been an incredible experience. Every time we have public meetings I am left completely frustrated because there is a relentless need to do so much. A few things have been raised today, including funding and resources, a consistent implementation and an attitude. Wicklow County Council has shown a great attitude towards its disability pilot programme. When I was a councillor, I tried to get disability awareness training to all staff who worked in Louth County Council, and a few of my county councillor colleagues around the country passed that motion as well. Yet, the staff still have not received the training over a year later but it is compulsory for council staff to receive training on climate change. That shows there is an attitude. Disabilities are considered to be separate and something to be tackled at some stage, which is wrong because these people are our brothers, sisters, fathers, mothers and friends. Disability is relentlessly boxed off. While climate change training has been made compulsory, we do not have compulsory disability awareness or access and auditing training for technical staff in county councils. It is all down to personalities and not looking from the ground up, and looking and listening adequately.

The last contribution made by Dr. McCarthy touched on inclusion and some of what I wanted to ask her about. Inclusion and participation in society is down to poverty and exclusion. Obviously poverty comes from services and supports but not being able to work. Dr. McCarthy mentioned exactly what I was going to ask about the cost of disability. I have seen at first hand that the extra cost of a disability is huge.

Today, many other issues were well covered but I have a few problems with the wage subsidy schemes. There is so much more that we can do to assist people in waiting for wage subsidy schemes, and to encourage and help people. I recognise that yesterday it was announced that €5 million would be available for employment schemes for people with disabilities. Dr. McCarthy has long experience. Can she recommend ways that we can implement a more positive change in trying to get more people actively engaged in working and fulfilling their lives to the best of their abilities?