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
Gillian Toole (Meath East, Independent)
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Good morning, everybody, and welcome. Apologies for being late; I will be nipping out. I thank the witnesses so much for the opportunities they provide to people of all ages within communities and the opportunities they give volunteers to have a little bit of positive mental health in being involved in the giving-back process through volunteering.
I have to commend in my area - I will be parochial - Cumann Lúthchleas Gael at Domhnach Seachnaill agus Ráth Tó for the Rockets and the fledgling group beginning in Dunshaughlin - there is another in Kilmessan - on the efforts they are making. Young Beth Monaghan from County Meath recently received her trike. There is no keeping her off the road now; she is absolutely flying. I also commend Meath Local Sports Partnership, and Mary Murphy and her team, on their can-do attitude and willingness to be involved.
I have a couple of questions. I will try not to overlap or repeat what colleagues have asked. Is there any consideration for older people as well, maybe by linking up with the age friendly initiative? I know attendance at games is something that is being rolled out but is there a possibility the tricycle or rickshaw-type bicycle that is available could link with cycling clubs? This is where the volunteers from cycling clubs might take charge of the rickshaw and go to the local nursing homes. Is there scope for anything like that?
Does alternative respite feature in the work the organisations are already doing, with support from the HSE? Is the involvement in inclusive sport something that comes up for discussion under the heading of alternative respite? There is funding for that. No more than young people or older people getting a break from parents and siblings, likewise, when somebody is at their activity, that is a respite break for parents and siblings as well. That might be something of use.
If each group represented were to do a SWOT analysis, what would that be for each of their groups? I note that facilities, volunteer numbers and training and education have been flagged already. Moving through each of the three groups present, what would their SWOT analysis be? It would provide learning for us and for our plan formation, if we are collaborating and co-operating.