Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It was very enjoyable to listen to everyone’s contributions and answers. We come here every Thursday morning and we are both uplifted and depressed, but we always leave the room with determination to do what we need to do for people with disabilities to make sure they take part in whatever they want to take part in.

I thank Mr. Kelly for being so honest in his contribution. I hear those experiences time and again – the put-down and lack of confidence. When people cannot get a job, it is so disempowering. In my past I struggled to get employment, so I have a small idea of what it is like to feel rejected and dejected constantly. I know how hard it is for some people who have a disability and are employed but are not looked after the way they should be. I thank Mr. Kelly for his honestly and his incredible advocacy work.

My first question arises from what Ms Hayes said. I contacted the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment a few months ago and asked what it does to support people with disabilities who are setting up their own companies. What I got back was the mentorship and self-employment programme. I was told there were equal opportunities and they could work with the local enterprise offices, LEOs. We absolutely know about equal opportunities. What I am pushing for is more equitable opportunities and to raise the bar. What more can LEOs do for that person who just happens to have a disability but has the most incredible entrepreneurial spirit, is more than capable of setting up his or her own business and only needs that extra equitable opportunity, as I said?

Entering employment and the fear of losing allowances was mentioned, and my question in this regard goes to everybody and I would like everyone's thoughts on it. On that cost of disability, how much of a change would it be for an individual, and I know it will be big, if there were a disability employment allowance to cover that cost of disability? The report on the cost of disability came out a couple of months ago and we know that cost is colossal. It was a very good report and we need to get working on it. How much of a change would that be for an individual to know there is a disability employment allowance, benefit, or whatever they want to call it, to support someone getting to work and not to lose the supports they have?

There was a conversation about what the public sector can do, and I am always just overwhelmed by the low expectations in the public sector. There is nothing sadder than a State public service not reaching targets, not being adaptable and not working for the employee. What difference would it make if the assistive technology grant was individualised? We know people in public sector do not automatically get that grant and it is down to their boss and a business case, and often they are denied that grant and left to do as they were, with no assistive technology.

Ms Hennessy, Mr. Kelly and Ms Walsh spoke about the transition between school and employment. There is such a cliff edge at the minute with not knowing where to go and what to do. I am a great believer in the education and training board, ETBs. I think they are wonderful. I was on the board Louth and Meath ETB. They are incredible. What more of a role could they take in being the facilitators in that transition between school and employment, whatever the employment would be, and that active role in their society?

How can the current schemes be improved? Mr. Kelly mentioned there are no supports for his disability awareness training. However, private companies can get a grant that covers up to 90% to hire Mr. Kelly and the best to give disability training. How open are those private companies to getting that grant? How good are the wage subsidy scheme and all of those grants that are available to employers? How functional are they? They are there but we are not hitting where we should be. How can we improve those grants and schemes? How can this committee make sure we advocate for positive change to make sure those grants are actively working for the people that they are supposed to be working for?

That is a pile there. I really appreciate our witnesses’ time.