Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank Mr. Hennessy, Mr. McCann and Professor Cooney.

Having listened to their evidence and to the questions of the members, I go back to a phrase I use at all stages: the attitude of the State. The attitude of the State is that there cannot be disabled entrepreneurs, and that is why we have to move as strongly as we can to put even one support in place, as Mr. Hennessy put it. It is a question of attitude. Every time we meet disabled people, their communities or their advocates, we hear the same thing, which is that the State has an almost blocking attitude to anything that would be enabling. There is energy and excitement among people with disabilities. If we tapped into these, we would certainly be making society better.

I referred to the Danish model several times. On the basis of a scheme set up by the Department of Social Protection about 20 years ago to allow low-income farmers to have off-farm incomes, I believe it has the tools. We spoke about this briefly last week. The scheme achieved more than intended at the time; it enabled support for the families of people working in fishing and farming. Bearing in mind that we talk about falling off the cliff, the statutory instruments signed at the time by the Minister of the day to allow for the scheme could be the basis for giving people security for five years. I am still trying to perfect my thinking on this. I spoke to colleagues last week about the possibility of having a topic on it, but I still have not perfected our ask regarding what we are trying to get the Department to do. If it is not very clear, we will get a fudged answer. There are mechanisms within the law and statutory instruments to allow a scheme to be developed.

To go back to the closing point made by the witnesses, which was on having even one support, we must ensure that people with disabilities are treated equally and given a fair chance in society. Their expertise should be developed and their abilities should be nurtured. This makes for a holistic society. In this regard, we should remember Maslow's theory. What I have described is so important for people with disabilities, and we need to strive to achieve it.

I thank the witnesses sincerely for their evidence. I know that appearing here was not easy but it is what empowers us, as members of a committee representing people with disabilities, to do our job as best we can. We are all about trying to make a difference. I sincerely thank the members for their ongoing engagement and, of course, our team, who do excellent work for us.