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

Many of my questions have been asked, particularly with regard to the arts. Access is a big issue that I am working on in my area. That is so important. Little things can make such a difference, so it is always about highlighting them and making sure that representatives in this committee take on board the issues the witnesses have raised today and do what we can to make changes. We must highlight them, as we do with the witnesses. These changes can happen. I realise everything boils down to funding, but we have a very good Minister of State in Deputy Rabbitte. It is important that we bring back all the concerns of the witnesses. As I said previously, communication will be key here, as well as working with all the different groups. The representatives of Cara Sports Inclusion Ireland have spoken, and I have been working with different groups in my constituency of Carlow-Kilkenny. We need to look at changes there. That is an issue we can address, and I have been speaking to groups in connection with that.

My constituency has one of the best train stations, but there was no wheelchair accessibility. That is unacceptable in 2021. It is nearly finished and ready to go, but people are fighting for what should be a given right. This is the issue. I know from listening to the witnesses that they are constantly trying to highlight things and battle for them, but they are getting there and we are going to be fully supportive of them. All of us working together on that will get them there.

Another matter was brought to my attention. The Covid-19 pandemic has affected all of us. Many people felt they were not getting out enough and they did not have many people calling. Naturally, with Covid we had to be very careful and mindful of our most vulnerable people. However, a lady called to my office and said to me, "My friend is getting €350 per week on the pandemic unemployment payment, but I am on the disability allowance and I only get €203 per week." She said it was unacceptable. She said, "I am not giving out about the PUP, but why are we on €203 per week with the disability allowance and yet the PUP is €350?". This is something that I had said previously was unacceptable. These are the issues. We have to make sure we do not have people living in poverty and that they are not having to scrimp every week to make payments. That is another issue we have to address. We must address the funding mechanism, the disability allowance and the invalidity allowance. There are major areas that we have to address.

My time is up and most of my questions were already put to the witnesses. However, I thank them for the information given today. It is always a learning day for members of the committee and, as a group, we are dedicated to working with all the witnesses.