Dessie Ellis (Dublin North West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank everyone for their input. I have read the different reports and the first thing that occurs to me is that many people who have disabilities are unaware of their rights, which is a big problem. Disabled parents are more at risk of losing custody of their children than anyone else, with removal rates as high as 80% in some cases. What barriers do people with disabilities who are seeking to adopt a child face? Are they prohibited from doing so? Is there legislation to ensure there is no discrimination against them? Perhaps the witnesses could give us an idea of the situation.

Disabled people are labelled as very high-risk when it comes to pregnancy. Will the witnesses discuss the move away from residential units for children with disabilities towards early-intervention family supports to keep children with disabilities in the family home that is required under Article 23? It is very important that the family is the focus. The people who have the disabilities are the prime focus but the family around them and the supports they receive are very important.

I note what was said about there having been a practice of sterilising people with intellectual disabilities. There was some mention of that still going on. Will the witnesses elaborate on that because it seems hard to understand how that could happen without people's consent or without those people having proper rights?

On the education process, is there a programme in all educational facilities that specifically targets people with intellectual disabilities and physical disabilities and that educates them on their rights?

Disabled Women Ireland has said that one in three victims of domestic abuse is a disabled woman. Is the figure as high as that? I am curious because it seems extremely high. People fear that, if they complain about domestic abuse, their children will be taken away from then and they will be victimised or reported. Does DWI come across that often?

With regard to people's rights in accessing abortion, contraceptives and so on, what obstacles do people with disabilities face?