Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I hope the Minister of State is right in that regard. I am putting down a marker now with regard to the provision of services next September. The Minister of State should note that parents have been told by St. Michael's House services that there is no guarantee that the required buildings will be available for use in September. Furthermore, the HSE has said that it will not fund transport services. There is an issue in that area.

On the broader issue of planning for people with disabilities, does the Minister of State accept that there have been major cuts to the supports that enabled people with disabilities to live independently? Many parents, particularly those who are more elderly, are suspicious when they hear the big fuss being made about congregated settings because they are afraid that their children will end up in a community setting without the necessary supports and services. We have seen cuts to the mobility allowance, respite care grant, motorised transport grant, benefit allowance, medical cards and home help services. There was also an attempt to cut the personal assistant service in the past which was reversed because of the reaction of people with disabilities. Is the Minister of State aware that such cuts are in breach of Article 19 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities? We need to up our game and plan proper services for all people with physical and intellectual disabilities.

See this speech in context