Dr. Cara McDonagh:

I do not want to sabotage the work of the subgroup we are on by being somewhat sceptical. I hope we are going to make progress. We are trying to do so. I do not have a good understanding of where the national disability inclusion strategy working group is at. The impact of Covid-19 meant there were no meetings of the working group. I do not know if it has resumed meeting now. It has been agreed that we will provide feedback to the working group. I do not have a good understanding of where this process is at. I hope the group is starting to make progress and that it is meeting regularly. Otherwise, we will make our recommendations, and we are in the process of putting those together. We are examining international schemes and all that type of good work which exists. I do not, however, know where the working group is at in its endeavours.

The Deputy is correct in what she said. The two other schemes that existed were then abolished after the financial crash and the recession. We noticed in the following years that many people came to the DDMBA because they were not able to access those schemes. That goes to show that people are not necessarily looking for the major benefit this scheme gives them. They are instead seeking something to help them and it does not have to be a benefit on the scale provided by this scheme. This costs the Exchequer €64 million, but it only helps a small and distinct group of people. Therefore, the lack of the other two schemes has caused major frustration for people. They just want some help.

I would like more rapid progress to be made, but I am not a politician. I work in a very different sphere. I would like to see things having progressed further, given we are now coming up to two years since the Supreme Court made its decision. I feel like we could have had this all sewn up, delivered and ready for legislation perhaps six months ago, but it should certainly be done this year. Unfortunately, that has not happened.