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
Maria Byrne (Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source
I apologise that I was not here earlier. I am on the health committee as well. I had to go there first. I have two or three questions.
I raised the first of them with the Minister when she was here last. It relates to a young person with a disability who previously lived with a family member, but that is no longer possible. That young person lived in Limerick in their family home and worked in the services. They went on a daily basis to one of the workshops and they were really happy while engaged with their own community. That young person has now been moved to Tipperary. While we cannot have residential accommodation on every street corner, this person been moved totally away from all their friends, their family, their connections and their workshop. Do our witnesses see any improvements coming in that area?
Another thing is the lack of appropriate housing and supports. There were units built near me which were mainly for wheelchair users. As there were no support staff and no supports going in there, many people ended up moving out to live nearer to family or friends for support. IHREC has called for a review of the Disability Act. The programme for Government commits to this and to a review of the legislation as well. Will the witnesses comment on that?