John Dennehy (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)

I join previous speakers in complimenting the Minister for Social and Family Affairs, Deputy Brennan, on the initiative he has taken with the Citizens Information Bill 2006. Like Deputy Hayes, I have some questions but I understand that the delivery of customer-friendly information on rights and entitlements is the mainstay of the Bill which will enable us to move on and suggest how matters should be handled. Whether these rights are sought by an advocate or the individual it is important that we simplify existing procedures and make it easier, where possible, for people to know their rights. That is the intention of this Bill.

Deputy Hayes referred to making people aware of the availability of personnel, what is involved in the process and so on. We must recognise that the potential applicants are people who already have a difficulty operating in the mainstream communications network which is one of the reasons they need extra help.

In many groups with which we are involved people can be drafted in with many descriptions applied including CEO, information officer, co-ordinator and so on. In some cases they can almost take over the operation. I have respectfully suggested to many groups that those involved be the spokespeople in making their own cases and this is happening in more organisations, such as the Irish Wheelchair Association. It is important that an outsider does not take over the rights of group members or impinge on their entitlements.

We like to boast that we live in an information age and this has been said repeatedly in the context of this Bill. Sometimes we do not consider how this information age might adversely affect many members of the public. This applies not only to the disabled; there is a range of people directly affected by their lack of knowledge of modern technology and communications. Those of us who may have been given extra training can easily take such skills for granted and assume that everyone else is as expert. This is a mistake that is made repeatedly.

I ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs to bear this in mind when we spread the message of the availability of this service. We speak of texting and e-mailing but probably 50% of the population is not au fait with such technology. There are some examples of how older people have been trained in the use of technology but I refer to the average person. We must remember when technology is implemented which we find useful in the dissemination of information that there are people still out of that loop.

I am worried by the trend of telling people to get information via e-mail, websites and computers when many have no access to a computer and even if they had would have no knowledge of how to use it. This is no reflection on mental prowess because older people have shown that they have the capability, given the opportunity, training and programmes geared towards them. We must consider those who have not received these opportunities. Young people are adaptable, will take on such changes with greater facility and love playing with video games and so on because they are reared in such an environment.

I am particularly concerned about access for the three groups referred to in the Bill. People with mental and other difficulties must be included and we must take note of their needs and ensure we reach them. This will not happen naturally but requires work.

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