Enda Kenny (Mayo, Fine Gael)

A number of legislative items must be dealt with before the aforementioned United Nations convention can be addressed. However, I must tell the Deputy that the other day, I spoke to someone who is wheelchair-bound and who must write by using a mouth-based instrument. The point that person made to me was the cost of facilities or additions to wheelchairs, for instance, for those who are disabled is astronomical and there are opportunities for more effective and certainly considerably less expensive facilities to do the same job. If one considers the breakdown of costs, they can be complicated and it may be necessary to have such items specially purpose-built for individuals who may have particular challenges. However, this is an area in which the value for money report will be important. When I speak to people in the centres for independent living, in general they are pleased with the layout and structure of such places and how that allows them to have the freedom to live their lives.

Deputy Pringle's basis is all about money and while the money pot is limited for everything, as far as I am concerned the Government must get the best and most effective spend in this regard in order that those who reside in the centres for independent living and who have a challenge because of disability will get the best quality of life that can be provided for them. It is only right and proper that all of these areas should be examined in the context of what gives the best result for such people. This is where the emphasis should and will be.

See this speech in context