Pádraic McCormack (Galway West, Fine Gael)

Why is the Government dragging its heels in publishing the disability Bill and proceeding with a programme for positive improvement in services? I cannot understand why the Government is stalling on this matter. When will the Government end the long outdated and inappropriate use of psychiatric hospitals for people with intellectual disabilities? If the Government engaged in full consultation on the disability Bill, it would enable the amended Bill to pass through the Houses of the Oireachtas. Our motion calls on the Government to:

(a) immediately bring forward the Disability Bill; and

(b) at the same time, to convene a disability summit of all stakeholders in the disability movement, each of whom would be entitled to attend and participate as equal partners.

If the resources are allocated by the Government the health boards can provide the services such as the provision of appropriate care places for people with disabilities. A brand new residential care unit in Clifden in my constituency which was completed a number of years ago, is empty and locked up because the resources to staff it have not been provided to the health board by the Government. The resources have not been provided because those with disabilities are regarded by the Government as a minority. However, many families are affected by this problem.

Another difficulty the Government has placed in the way of people with disabilities is the three-year rule affecting those on employment schemes who are acting as personal assistants to people with disabilities who are living independently. As a result of this ridiculous three-year rule, many of those people must give up a personal assistant who has become used to them, has trained them and is able to assist them to live independently. Some of those people must now move into institutional care because of the ridiculous three-year rule. At the end of the three year period, they are forced to give up their personal assistants. It is unfortunate that I must move the Adjournment as I have a great deal more to say.

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