Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I appreciate that Senator McGreehan from my own group has swapped with me because I have a Commencement matter to raise today.

I thank the witnesses for their compelling testimony. Day after day at these meetings, I am humbled by what I hear. We had the pleasure of meeting Ms Browne a few weeks ago. She is a compelling witness.

I will ask a few key questions. Mr. Kavanagh spoke about the cost of a prosthesis increasing by 30% since Brexit and a silicone sleeve costing more than €1,000. What exactly is a person entitled to when, unfortunately, he or she has to have a limb amputated? I tried to look up the details after he spoke. I believe a person is entitled to just one prosthesis, but I do not know the entitlement as regards silicone sleeves. I would appreciate if Mr. Kavanagh clarified this important issue for us.

The question of disability awareness raising and training arises time after time. I would be interested in the witnesses' views, in particular those of Ms Browne, on how awareness raising and training can be meaningfully rolled out around the country. Does it need to be delivered by people with disabilities?

Mr. Sinnott in particular spoke about the experience of not being consulted. Perhaps he will comment on the general experience of consultation on policies that impact on the lives of people with disabilities and what improvements are needed.

I hope I can stay until the end of the meeting, but I am on call to race up to the Seanad.