Ms Derval McDonagh:

I am glad Ms Locke-Reilly brought up accessible information. It is a core pillar of the work of Inclusion Ireland. She has probably seen that we have moved beyond creating easy-to-read documents, into video and accessible information in multiple formats. There are many myths about accessible information, for example, that putting some pictures on a document means it is done. It is really about a total rethink of how we communicate with one another respectfully and openly.

Giving people information is about giving people power. Ultimately, one of the biggest barriers autistic people and people with intellectual disabilities face is the lack of accessible information and the lack of accessible processes such as those relating to applying for housing. We need to look at it in a layered way so that accessible information and communication are seen as human rights. It is the bit that gets you the seat at the table. If that is not there to begin with, that barrier has removed you from housing and so many other aspects of civil life so it is a really important point. Inclusion Ireland is creating its new strategy, a key pillar of which will be inclusive communication and supporting Government and State agencies to become more inclusive in how we communicate.

I am not saying Inclusion Ireland is perfect. We are constantly learning from people with intellectual disabilities, who give me really open and valuable feedback every day when I mess up. We do not get it right all the time. It is about a process and journey around inclusive communication and it takes time and a willingness to listen and also to mess up and figure it out. We will be supporting State agencies to develop communications systems.

I thank the Deputy for raising the point about housing. Ms Lavin has spoken about her direct experience and the barriers she is experiencing. Housing is another core pillar of the work of Inclusion Ireland. In my opening statement, I mentioned that we still have 2,400 people living in institutional settings and 1,300 disabled people under the age of 65 living in nursing homes while thousands of people are living at home with their families and have never had an opportunity to have their own front door key. The Government published the disability capacity review highlighting all these issues. We are calling for the implementation plan of this to be published. We are still awaiting this implementation plan. Our understanding is that when disability moves to the new Department officially, that implementation plan will be looked at and prioritised. The only way out of this is planning.

Senator O'Reilly spoke about the crisis piece. We are waiting for a crisis to happen. If an elderly carer passes away, an emergency plan must be put in place for somebody. In the most distressing of times, it is completely non-human rights compliant to have to go through that for something that is entirely predictable. We know there needs to be "X" amount of additional housing every year for people with disabilities. What ends up happening in emergencies is that we go for a more institutional model or something that is put together quickly that does not involve the choice and control of the disabled person. They do not have a choice about where they will live and who they will live with, which is the hallmark of institutional living. That needs to end and the only way out of it is a comprehensive plan and the publication of the implementation plan for the disability capacity review.