Keira Keogh (Mayo, Fine Gael)

I apologise, my technology was not working so I popped down to the meeting instead. I thank the witnesses. Their opening statements were fantastic. I will address my question to Mr. Hennessy, if that is okay, but I ask Mr. Jacquinot and Mr. Hammersley to feel free to come in if they want. Mr. Hennessy is very inspiring. To listen to his story is incredible. It is disappointing that we have lost him as an entrepreneur due to systemic barriers. I hope his contribution today can push us in the right direction.

It was stark to hear that 30% of Mr. Hennessy's business expenses were due to the cost of his disability. That is a huge amount when any entrepreneur is trying to stay between the lines and keep the doors open. We have heard that in respect of therapy and assessment, there is now a one-door policy, or there is one on the way, whereby if someone goes to a children's disability network team, CDNT, and is then referred to a child and adolescent mental health service, CAMHS, or the National Educational Psychological Service, NEPS, they are not going around the houses. It struck me that this is probably what is needed for disabled entrepreneurs. Mr. Hennessy referenced the national human rights and equality strategy and the commitment at paragraph 5.6 to improve employment opportunities for disabled people. It feels to me that this will only succeed if agencies such as the local enterprise offices, LEOs, work seamlessly alongside the Department of Social Protection and the Revenue so that the inconsistent rules on income supports, grants and taxation are not barriers. Does Mr. Hennessy think a one-door policy would help? Are the systemic barriers greater?