Ms Eileen Daly:

Absolutely. I know many people through my work and friends who would benefit hugely from having a personal assistant service and who have gone to college, be it further or higher education, and excelled. I am not being dramatic when I say they literally experience depression and sometimes other mental health issues because they are left at home. They have kept busy and active all their lives. They have engaged, participated, had friends and perhaps boyfriends or girlfriends and then are simply left alone either in the family home or some are institutionalised. There are many people who would benefit from having a personal assistant service. I cannot give a precise number but there are many.

Focusing on myself, as Mr. Collumb said, I could not function without a personal assistant. I would not have any quality of life without that support. I would not have been able to go to college. I certainly would not be able to have a job. I would literally be stuck at home doing nothing. I might have some degree of a social life but it would be very restricted and, sadly, I would not have any quality of life. It is important to point out that when people feel that they have voice and are important and can contribute, it reduces the pressure on all the services, ranging from acute hospital services to the closed spaces or the congregated settings to mental health and psychiatric services. It has a knock-on, ripple effect on everything. A quality personal assistant service is needed. It is not all about me, doing what I do. Getting a right day service allows me to go out spread the message and assist others. For me, that is hugely important here as well.