Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Ceann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on the urgent need to develop health and disability services on the north side of Dublin. This was an important element of my recent agreement with the Taoiseach which was about delivery of services to people and creating an opportunity for those who have been left behind. It is an agreement built on equality and social justice. I did not seek nor ask for mercs and perks; all I asked for was services.

Today I make myself accountable to the 30th Dáil and also to the people of Coolock, Marino, Drumcondra, Donnycarney, Clontarf, Raheny, Artane, Fairview and Beaumont. I make no apology for trying to deliver services to these people who put me into the Dáil. I am standing by the people of Dublin North-Central. My mandate is to look after the vulnerable, the sick, the disabled, the elderly and the very young. This is my agreement with the Taoiseach. The real challenge is to deliver services, particularly to those people who have been left behind. Society is people and without people there is no society. My agreement is about redeveloping respect and trust and an insistence on people-centred policies that can be implemented. This is not rocket science but rather about helping the weaker sections of society to receive their rights as citizens of this nation. This is also an excellent investment opportunity and relates to delivery on important issues such as health, education, disabilities, housing, foreign policy matters and important environmental issues such as Dublin Bay.

An agreement has been made on a number of important local priorities. I will be accountable and I will inform the constituents and the Dáil as these are rolled out. These will include the following: increased funding for the Stardust inquiry of €400,000-€100,000 has already been delivered; funding for Kilmore West community centre, Coolock, which supports elderly and youth services; the retention of Greendale community school for educational use and to ensure that no part of it is sold; extra funding for services for children and adults with a disability living on the north side; funding for the Central Remedial Clinic in Clontarf; €1.7 million for the upgrade of the Tolka river flood programme; assistance for the residents of Richmond Road; capital moneys must be allocated to the orthopaedic hospital in Clontarf to upgrade its facilities; support and funding for a new PE hall at Rosmini School in Drumcondra; extra funding for services at St. Michael's House; improved facilities for the visually impaired; and extra community gardaí on the beat in Dublin North-Central. Those are just some of the local priorities, and I will announce more later.

The Taoiseach and I share a vision of an Ireland where people with disabilities have the greatest possible opportunity to live full lives with their families and as part of their local communities without discrimination. I am strongly pushing for implementation of the national disability strategy, which would cost €900 million over the next three years, that is €300 million per year. In real terms, that means more residential places, respite places, speech therapists and services on the ground for everyone with a disability.

I look forward to seeing extra teachers reducing class sizes, improvements in special education, more support for children with autism and the tackling of educational disadvantage, and more services for citizens. People will be informed as they are rolled out.

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