Mr. Joe Mason:

One of the things we discovered on our journey of a little more than week from the myriad communications we had with people in Kyiv and elsewhere and from talking to some people who volunteered on the borders is that access from institutions to the border is a massive issue. I learned recently there was a large celebration where 300 people with disabilities, both physical and sensory, were brought from institutional care in and around Kyiv to the border and brought on onward journeys to Belgium, Germany and Holland. That brings me on to the point that the number of people who those in Ukraine are trying to support is a drop in the ocean.

We are asking for support to bring wheelchair-accessible transport to the borders of Ukraine, some of which we can leave on-site to support the Ukrainian people to bring their own loved ones to and from the institutions. We are also asking for support to bring wheelchair-accessible transport over in order that we can bring back people. We are asking for support to bring aids and appliances, as well as all the other necessary products, such as medications and so forth, for people still in Ukraine who will struggle and possibly will not make it out.

As Ms Kelly has already said, there are myriad settings in Ireland that were deinstitutionalised that could and should be used as a short-term measure. We must remember the people are here because they must be and not because they want to be. Every Ukrainian person I have spoken with has told me his or her desire is always to return home. Short or medium-term measures are required. As Ms Kelly also said clearly, nobody advocates a return to institutionalised care in Ireland. As a short-term and temporary measure, a safe harbour is required. I will now pass to Olena, our friend from Ukraine, who will speak about her experience.