Ms Anna-Karin Ulpe:

I want to comment on the cost of disability payment, which absolutely should be made available. I am thinking not only of including health aids for physical mobility but also computer technology. I could not live my life without my computer. I do everything on it. I cannot go to a shop to buy groceries. I have to have them delivered, so I have to use the online services. If my computer breaks down, I do not know how I will survive because I am totally reliant on it for everything. Obviously, I would not be here and have a voice today if I did not have a computer. That definitely needs to be included.

On the personal assistant services, I did not mention it because I do not have personal experience of applying for that, but I know many people in the ME community who have struggled to get this in place because ME is not considered a disability according to the HSE. Some people managed to get home help anyway, but I am also aware of several people my age who have been forced to move into nursing homes because they cannot access appropriate home help.