Regina Doherty (Meath East, Fine Gael)

I thank the Leas-Cheann Comhairle for the opportunity to speak on this subject. Although I understand the Minister intends to make much needed changes to the DCA and its processes, which I truly welcome, I wish to make some points about which I feel very strongly.

I am a representative of the people of Meath-East but my involvement in the political process started with the special needs division of the National Parents Council. Involvement in politics is the way most people seek to influence decision makers, through dialogue, negotiation and by debating on the floor of the Dáil, something we all do on a daily basis. We must examine our society in terms of the human rights of children and families with disabilities. These are children who cannot live independent lives. While sitting in the Chamber, I often look at the flag and think about what it means. The same flag must cherish all children to be equal, to have equal living conditions and full participation in community life. I have fundamental problems with the delivery of services to our sick children. The responsibility to make changes to services rests with the Minister and the officials. Some of our children are very sick and need 24-hour care, seven days a week. The vast majority live at home with their families and some of them will never play soccer, Gaelic football or rugby. Most of them will never write a letter of complaint to a Minister. Some of the children will never work and some will never attend a mainstream school yet the flag in this Chamber says there must be equality for all our children. We are not talking about people who make fraudulent claims for social welfare, those who fake disabled parking permits or exaggerate mild injuries to claim benefits. We are talking about sick and vulnerable children.

On behalf of the children, I ask the Minister to make two changes to the process. The first concerns the review, particularly the language in the documentation and the questions asked during the review process. I welcome the parents in the Visitors Gallery. Those involved with children, particularly those with special needs or particular family circumstances, understand the stress of everyday life. At times of total chaos, any little hope of an improvement in the child is a huge milestone. To sit in front of an administrator in a review process and to be asked flippant questions, although not deliberate, is extremely hurtful and disingenuous in respect of the efforts and enormous stress most of those parents go through. I want the review process to examine the language in the paperwork and the approach of the people behind the interview and the review process.

I welcome the review to which the Minister agreed last night. In any review, we will draw on medical professionals and departmental officials who have been, and will continue to be, trained to conduct reviews but the process must involve parents. Parents know what they go through on a daily basis and can relay information. More important, they can relay how the slightest change to services, domiciliary care payments or access to respite has a major impact on families and children. Direct experiences enrich the review process and make it valuable. I urge the Minister to ensure parents are involved.

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