Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

The Taoiseach's response will give cold comfort to the people who are losing those personal assistance hours. One does not need a value for money report to show their value, as one only needed to attend the presentation in the audiovisual room by the centres for independent living to see the value and quality of life improvements such hours provide. People need a commitment that their personal assistance hours will be protected, and it is very disappointing that the Taoiseach cannot give such a commitment today. In light of that, will the Taoiseach provide an assurance that the Government will ratify the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? Will the Government pledge to treat such people with the dignity and respect they deserve as Irish citizens?

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