Ms Fiona O'Donovan:

I thank the Chairman kindly for that. I will respond first to Senator Dolan's question regarding austerity and what needs to change. The best answer I can give to that question is the message that came through from last week's proceedings in Brussels which was a very strong call that austerity needs to end and investment needs to be put into supports, services and community-based supports and services for people with disabilities. Without investment it cannot develop. As I said, austerity has been felt most profoundly by persons with disabilities and other groups who would have be particularly marginalised from society. A key point to remember is that people with disabilities are people and, by their nature, they are diverse. They are immigrants with disabilities and women, children, men and the range of human existence of persons with disabilities. In terms of austerity, however, the tide needs to change. People with disabilities and the services supporting them cannot take any more cuts and they need investment. The people and the citizens of Europe need investment. The focus has been very strongly on economic policies and economic stability - this has been the topic of a submission made in numerous fora - and that is understandable and must be recognised. As I said in my submission paper, the EU has demonstrated that it can act with determination and resolve, but that now needs to shift and be focused on, showing the same determination to improving the lives of the citizens of the EU. It is not just about the economics. As I said in the submission paper, it is not just about fixing the economic crisis. The question is how this crisis impacted on the lives of persons in the EU. The only way to change that around is to start to invest in improving the lives of persons with disabilities and the wider EU citizenship.

I will move on to the question raised by the Chairman. Certainly decongregation is a key issue in Ireland now. It is referred to as the institutionalisation at EU level and this is part of a disconnect. It is like trying to translate the lingo from the EU to the national and even to the local. I appreciate the Chairman raising it here in the Irish context.

I would not presume to comment on the specifics of the local service in the community but I will speak more generally on the issue. Decongregation is a policy based on research on the lived experiences and the wills and preferences of people with disabilities. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD - I believe it is Article 19 which focuses on community-based services - specifically calls for people to be given a choice as to where they want to live, how they want to live their lives and to give support to community-based services. I certainly understand a concern around losing a centre of excellence but the question is what actually is the concern there. What is the root issue. Does it go more fundamentally to a fear of losing the excellence, the supports and the knowledge, which is what having community-based services is all about? It is about ensuring that people with disabilities can live and be part of the community and have that expertise to hand in a form appropriate to their needs locally, in their local health centres, local primary care centres or wherever it is, and in this way not losing the excellence but applying it in a different way to support people to live in the community.

In terms of the fundraising and its importance to the community, that would be replicated throughout the country. That would be true of many support organisations.

It is a question of recognising that excellence can be provided in a different way and to give the choice and support. There are studies and research to show that people with even the most complex needs around disabilities can benefit the most from community-based living. I would be happy to forward some of those to the committee if required. Ultimately, it is a question of choice and not losing excellence but looking at how it can be provided in a different way.