Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 5 May 2022

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters

Situations of Risk and Humanitarian Emergencies: Discussion (Resumed)

Photo of Seán CanneySeán Canney (Galway East, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank everybody for their contributions. Last night I read the presentations and listened to what has been said here and I was struck by the fact that the general population has a complete lack of awareness or understanding about the situation for people with special needs or disabilities in a war-torn country. Some of the descriptions stated in the presentations are eye-opening in terms of a country where the infrastructure for water, sewage, heat and electricity has been destroyed and people with disabilities in congregated settings are on their own so the situation is horrendous.

WALK has brought in four families and has the experience of putting two of the families in houses and putting the other two families in temporary accommodation. The WALK representatives have expressed how difficult it was and is to get something done for just four families. This is a major issue for us, as a committee, because there are things that we have no idea about. For instance, we do not know how many people with special needs have come to this country. Are there statistics available? What can we do for the people who are trapped in Ukraine to get them out or provide services? Is support being co-ordinated?

Mr. Mason or Mr. Harris suggested that a co-ordinated interdepartmental group examines this matter. Obviously establishing one is a problem.

I think that many of the decision-making processes here must be set aside. I believe that we should make a decision to reopen facilities that are closed down, bring them up to a living standard and give people a roof over their heads. I also agree with the suggestion to invite the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, here to find out how supports are being co-ordinated.

We do not know how long the war in Ukraine will last. If it stopped tomorrow morning, many problems would not be resolved because it will take a long number of years to rebuild the country. Many people in this country have offered help but people must understand that we should offer help that is sustainable. I mean that it is not just a matter of taking somebody into one's home for a month or whatever and then the problem is pushed out for another piece of time. So a body of work needs to be done.

I thank everybody for their input and look forward to hearing their comments on these matter. I concur with the suggestion made by the last speaker that the Chairman extends an invitation to the Minister of State so that we can see how we can work with her and co-ordinate all of the groups that want to help.

This session has been educational, frightening and sometimes shocking when one reads about what is happening in Europe. We have seen the devastation on television but it is different to hear about the human side of things and to hear about the people who have disabilities being left behind, which is an indictment of what is taking place and we need to all work together.

I am glad to hear Mr. Harris talk about AsIAm co-ordinating on a European response. I think that we must work together rather than in isolation on co-ordinating the disabilities sector and have a European-wide response.

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