Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Thursday, 9 December 2021

Joint Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters

Aligning disability services with the UNCRPD and considering the future system and innovation: Discussion (Resumed)

Mr. Peter Broadhead:

That is on the back of expansion of a similar order that has taken place. Many aspects relate to ratifying the optional protocol, which we did in July 2008. I did not mention that earlier. I will have to have a reboot enforced by our IT department. That is the best I can answer that question.

We have a history in our health service in Australia of applying insurance models to the supports. If I go to a GP I get a reimbursement from the government towards the fee but I pay when I go there. Social insurance was included in the terms of reference of the review of how disability care should be provided. I was specifically asked to look at the notion that this should operate as an insurance model. The associate commissioner at the productivity commission, who was one of the key people in writing that report, had a lot of history in workers' compensation schemes. We have government-based workers' compensation and transport accident schemes at state level. They brought that expertise and world view to some of the questions in the terms of reference. Does that address the Deputy's question?