Frances Black (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. O'Reilly and Ms Kenny for their powerful presentations. I am standing in for Senator Higgins today. I am heartbroken and shocked to hear what the witnesses had to go through to get basic and simple human rights. I want to talk a little about the current system and ask a couple of questions on it. I am hearing this morning that both Mr. O'Reilly and Ms Kenny have to constantly fight for supports within the current system. I do not know where they get their energy from. It must be so exhausting and, as Ms Kenny said, soul-destroying, to constantly advocate and fight for supports and that Mr. O'Reilly, his family or Ms Kenny constantly have to re-prove they need those supports.

Do they feel that having to do that infringes on their rights to family life and independence? What effect does the current absence of a statutory right to home care and personal assistance services have on their well-being and that of their families, their mental health and their ability to plan for the future? Will they say a little about that? It is no wonder Ms Kenny is getting emotional about this because I honestly do not know how she keeps going and where she gets her energy and power from. It is the same for Mr. O'Reilly. They have to constantly fight all the time for their basic needs. What effect does it all have on their well-being, ability to plan for the future and mental health?