Ruairi Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I wish to add my voice to what has been said. This was a very worthwhile piece of work today. Obviously, there is a huge amount of interaction that needs to happen, particularly between the Department officials, the committee and the organisations represented by the witnesses. We need to come to a solution that is workable.

I reiterate the point I made earlier in relation to a wider submission. I think there has been some conversation on the interventions around the general difficulties that relate to town planning, transport and road infrastructure. I do not need to repeat any of that. As I said, if we could get submissions on that from the organisations represented by the witnesses, it would be worthwhile.

I also believe there is a wider piece of work we have to do. It is probably beyond what Deputy Crowe mentioned when he spoke about dealing with some of these regulations as regards width, etc. Again, that work would not just be for our committee. The issues relating to transport companies are within the remit of this committee. There are some of the rules that relate to local authorities and certain things will relate to building. In fairness, the issue of primary medical certificates has been dealt with. It is an obvious issue that has affected a substantial number of people with disabilities who are not able to get what they should be able to get in the area of transport. Beyond that, I know, as I am sure many others do, that there is an issue with disability housing, whether it is dealing with a local authority, or the difficulties around housing adaptation grants. There are parents dealing with children with severe disabilities. Sometimes they have changed the nature of the type of work they have to do. They may be a carer, which means they have less money coming in. An adaptation grant is not going to cut it in the context of what needs done. It is about bridging that gap.

I know I have outlined multiple issues, but I think on some level we need to start a serious piece of work in addressing them. That is more of a commentary than a question. Perhaps some of the witnesses may wish to comment on that.