Jack Wall (Kildare South, Labour)

I thank my colleague, Deputy O'Sullivan, for sharing time. As one who has been involved in the GAA over the years, I listened with interest to Deputy Tony Dempsey's comments on the organisation. The sporting associations should try to provide some recreational facilities for those with disabilities who are less fortunate than most of those who participate in the relevant sport. It is wonderful to see people with mental or physical disabilities participating and getting enjoyment out of the sport they follow, rather than watching others participate. This was never more relevant than during the Special Olympics, which had a clear impact on the disability sector.

In awarding sports capital grants, a strong emphasis is placed on the ability of the applicant to facilitate persons with physical and mental disabilities. This approach should be expanded.

The scope of the Bill must extend beyond its current focus on education and health to cover all aspects of physical and mental disabilities. This will ensure people with disability improve their health and education. When one examines the current position, alarm bells start to ring. Families applying to a local authority for a disabled person's grant are frustrated from the outset. If they are placed in categories B or C, as opposed to A, they will not receive a grant because funding is not available.

The Minister has done a considerable amount of work on this Bill. He must ensure that disabled person's grants are placed on a statutory footing and the relevant Department, whether Health and Children or the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, funds them in full. Rather than being contingent on the amount of finance available to a local authority, grants approved under the local authority assessment procedure should be funded in full. The current system is a major obstacle that will affect the success of the Bill. Families of persons with mental disabilities try to do everything possible for their son, daughter, brother or sister. In addition to the pressure and frustration they face, they will be disheartened by what the Bill proposes to do to address their circumstances.

I am not aware of many local authorities which have examined the issue of housing from the perspective of independent living. The Simon Community, in a submission on the Bill, stated that the housing needs of those with mental and physical disabilities have been ignored. This, too, leads to frustration. The Disability Bill, of which everyone had high expectations, has been found wanting as regards vital issues, apart from education and health needs, which would make life better for people with disabilities. The overall picture must be addressed if the Bill is to be successful. Advances are needed and the scope of the Bill must be widened to include environmental factors.

The disabled person's grant, the essential repairs grant and the home improvement grant must also be covered. The Minister may ask what they have to do with the Bill. They relate to elderly people, many living alone in difficult circumstances and in poor health. Basic issues, which would ensure they do not have to spend long periods in hospital, are not addressed. Will the Minister refer to this aspect of the Bill when responding?

I welcome the comments made recently on this and ask that this aspect of the Bill be investigated to see what mechanism can be put in place to ensure housing needs, the disabled person's grant etc., are addressed.

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