Joan Collins (Dublin South Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

Along with my colleagues, I want to support the motion put forward by Sinn Féin. It has been introduced on the back of the fact that legislation is needed to underpin the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. It is a very appropriate time to do this.

I could not speak on 7 March on the debate on the ratification of the convention but I welcome that ratification. However, I will make the same point that other Deputies have made, namely, that it did not include the ratification of the optional protocol to the convention. It is now incumbent on the Minister of State to deliver that. He did not mention it in his speech and did not say when that particular aspect would be ratified along with legislation.

The Minister of State made many references to increases in certain areas of funding for disability rights. The reality is different. He referred to increases in hours and funding for speech therapy. My community wrote to the HSE in Tallaght about speech therapy. Families are waiting for 18 to 21 months for their children to be assessed. It is not acceptable in this day and age that families have to wait that length of time.

I am working with elderly parents who have adult children in St. John of God. They had a slight increase in respite care over the past year but not to the level they need. There is still significant concern that adults are not being catered for in terms of learning about independent living in the community when their parents pass away, which is of major concern to parents. It is scandalous that we are not examining housing provision for adults in care. I thank the Minister of State for meeting the parents' association in St. John of God special school.

I wish to refer to a letter a constituent of mine received regarding a wheelchair. It puts what is going on into perspective. A senior occupational therapist in Brú Chaoimhín in Cork Street wrote that:

I regret to inform you that following discussion with my line manager I have been advised that the order for the integrated lights for a new powered wheelchair will not be sanctioned at this time. I have been advised that it is the responsibility of the client to provide lights privately and it is recommended that bicycle LED lights for front and rear are used along with the use of high visibility vests for safety while using the powered wheelchair on the footpath.

I have raised this issue with the Minister of State. This should not be happening. Lights are a basic requirement for people using wheelchairs.

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