Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 9 July 2025

Committee on Disability Matters

Progressing the Delivery of Disability Policy and Services: Discussion (Resumed)

2:00 am

Mr. Liam Herrick:

We have monitored the recent interactions the committee has had with other stakeholders as well. In terms of the review of the Disability Act and the question raised by Senator Harmon, we would be very concerned that waiting lists for assessments of need would be in any way used to justify any dilution of the right to an assessment of need. There must be a legal right to assessment of need and there must also be a legal right to access the delivery of services. One should not be traded against the other. That is an essential and fundamental principle about the review of the Disability Act.