Michael Moynihan (Cork North West, Fianna Fail)
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Absolutely. A lot of it is empowering parents in having a step, signpost or a way for people because it is really important. As Mr. Miller said in his commentary, the challenges are there for families on an ongoing basis. Some of the time, there are great initiatives. The witnesses' concept is highly innovative, but it is very down to earth and on the ground. The challenge I see is that the State never really embraces these initiatives. If we look at the disability services that have developed over the past 50 years, certainly from the 1960s on - I do not want to depress myself by going into those prior to that - it has been community-led. It has been section 39 organisations that have set it up and developed it. In commentary, we have always been very critical of the State in terms of the education and health services being farmed out to the church. In recent times, however, we have allowed the voluntary community organisations and people who have good initiatives like the witnesses to develop and lead the way for the State to do the right thing, which should ultimately be the State's responsibility. The United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UNCRPD, comes in now as an international agreement. This is the real challenge for us, however. We have been sitting as a committee for the past four years and there have been different levels on which we have been able to get advances on different projects and initiatives. We have certainly been able to bring the spotlight to the unmet need in our communities for people with disabilities and their families and communities.

This is the real question I have, however. The witnesses said that it was laid before the Department of Health in 2017. It just disappeared into the ether. How do we as a State or we as a committee and as politicians who are charged with keeping the various arms of the State accountable look to see that these reports or initiatives are done, and why they are not in practice rather than the pilots? I do not think the witnesses can see. It is really about making lines and showing the spotlight but should not be. The UNCRPD and the Constitution talk about cherishing everybody equally, but we are still not doing that. When the witnesses furnished their report, what was the feedback, if any, from anybody?