Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats) | Oireachtas source

I move amendment No. 12:

In page 8, to delete lines 32 and 33, and substitute the following: “(ii) has recovered from that long-term illness or any other long-term illness,”.

The amendment deals with the unusual wording that flexibility working arrangements will end when the child "ceases to have that disability or long-term illness or any other disability or long-term illness". Unfortunately, this wording reflects the antiquated medicalised model of disability, which is something that has no place in legislation in 2022, not to mention in legislation proposed by the Department for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. The amendment simply proposes that the words "ceases to have" be replaced with the words "has recovered from", which acknowledges the lived reality of disability and long-term illness. The child may medically no longer have a condition but the effects and need for care may remain for some time afterwards. I also ask the Minister to clarify what categories or types of disabilities a child can "cease to have".