Oireachtas Joint and Select Committees

Wednesday, 22 October 2025

Committee on Disability Matters

Participation in Community Life for Persons with Disabilities: Discussion

2:00 am

Mr. Jimmy D'Arcy:

It is definitely not one size fits all. In our own summer camp programme, the Cúl Camps, we have sought to ensure that there are opportunities for inclusion in a fully integrated way. It requires more training and more resources, and because the vast majority of our operation is volunteer led, that poses a particular challenge. Education has to happen on a cyclical basis whereby you train new volunteers repeatedly.

The facilities challenge is very pertinent. As I said, many of our facilities are dated. Upgrading old facilities is, I would argue, more difficult than developing new facilities. There are lots of challenges in that regard. We are looking at both integrated inclusive models and, as Ms Keane said, specific programmes for people with different needs as well.