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

I thank everyone who came here today. We have heard from various different people involved in disability services. It is mind-boggling when you listen to all the different areas that have been addressed. We know that about 20% of the population have some form of disability. That is a huge number of people.

I thank Ellen, Jean, Gary, Claire and Derek for their input. A number of things stood out to me. The witnesses were talking about the housing issue and accessibility. We do not have quotas when it comes to new houses for people with disabilities. It is something we have been pushing for. The Government has said it is committed to giving a percentage but it still has not happened. That is something we just have to keep pushing for. We obviously want a rights-based approach to everything. It includes children's rights too. There are children with disabilities. Inclusion Ireland mentioned children. We should not forget their rights. They need to be represented at the table.

I will give an example of a mental health issue. I recently had a situation where a person with schizoaffective disorder, which is a lifelong mental health problem, was sent forms by the Department of Social Protection to reapply for social welfare. I often wonder what planet these people are on. It is a disability for life. It is not something that is going to change.

We heard about amputees. I do not get why we have not sorted out this problem with the primary medical certificate. I just do not see how that does not apply to someone who has lost a limb. It just does not make sense. I know this committee has outlined this on many occasions and is pushing and pushing. It just seems that it is not being taken up. It is very annoying.

There was a mention of kissing gates and different things. There is the issue of scramblers. We eventually brought forward that Bill. It is still not good enough. I have had many complaints from people with disabilities trying to get through the gates. When they are walking in the parks, there are scramblers and bikes flying by them. These things all have to be addressed. It is sometimes quite upsetting when you hear some of the cases that have happened.

This means testing for medical cards is frustrating. I often find that this process is upsetting to people, who have to literally plead their cases and constantly come back to do so. I think there needs to be a better way to do it.

When people move into new homes and get a grant from the welfare officer, there is a maximum of €3,000 for that and it is centralised elsewhere. That needs to be increased significantly. Which people with a disability could fit out an apartment or a house with €3,000? It is just not possible. The flooring alone would cost €2,000.

Those areas all have to be addressed. I do not have all the answers but I will certainly keep trying to push the areas that I see which need to be addressed. A fair number of people at this committee are pushing hard to get these issues addressed.