Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)

With regard to the cultural change which Deputy Ryan urges the Government to press on employers and able-bodied people, the Deputy and others should acknowledge that a magic wand cannot be waved with regard to employment of people with disabilities. Such employment is best achieved through the various initiatives and schemes to which the Government has been committed and on which FÁS has worked hard.

Each person with a disability is an individual, and each of the 900 additional people with disabilities now involved in employment is a significant individual beneficiary. We ought to acknowledge that having additional people benefiting and participating is a positive element, not just for them but for the country as a whole. I reject the Deputy's contention that the Government is concentrating on short-term reactionary policies. In general the plans are three and five year sectoral plans. They are cross-departmental and will be very effective by the end of those periods. The Government does not have the luxury enjoyed by the Opposition of being able to trawl through several hundred issues and pick out ones on which they can put forward negatives.

See this speech in context