Mr. Damien O'Reilly:

Yes. Regarding the process of obtaining a PA service, there is no proper process in place. I know that sounds stupid but it really depends on where somebody lives in the country, which is wrong. It should not depend on where somebody is located in the country. Regarding the administration and my direct payments, I do all the administration with the support of my mum. Therefore, the money that would be spent through an agency paying the agency to administer it goes straight back to me in regards to hours, so I would end up with more hours when there is less time being spent on administration. That in turn gives me more independence because my hours are not taken up on administration costs. It is a lot of work complying with everything, with grant aid agreements and all the documentation. People with disabilities do not want to have to do this but they have to because there is no alternative.

I have a friend in Cavan and he is in the same boat as me. As there is no provider of a PA service in this region, where does he go? He cannot access a PA service. At present, he has home carers but he cannot leave his house. He lives in Cavan town and has all the amenities beside him but he cannot leave his home to avail of them, even just to go to the shop. His father, who would have assisted him, took ill a couple of months ago, so he does not know what to do now. He does not know where to go. This is the problem. There is no independence for people. A person is essentially a prisoner in the person's home. Then a person cannot become involved in organisations and have his or her voice heard. It is just wrong. I hope that answers the Deputy's question.