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

I thank the Deputy for his comprehensive response. I do not do dilly-dallying and will drive the legislation forward. That is my clear objective.

On the issues raised by the other Deputies, Deputy Funchion mentioned a child with autism who had been left behind. She should give me the details and I will follow up on the matter.

Deputy Brady made a point about business owners being left out, the medical card and employment. We will also look at those issues.

My objective is to include as many people with a disability as possible in the employment sector.

I welcome the remarks from Deputy Ó Caoláin. I appreciate his support and that of the Joint Committee on Justice and Equality. I welcome the debate in the House because it brings the disability issue into the mainstream of politics. I will reflect on the remarks made by Deputies.

It is important to remember some points when we are talking about rights and human rights. I secured an additional €150 million in budget 2019 for disability services. I continue to drive through a wide range of practical reforms to improve the lives of people with disabilities and to focus on their ability. We are making consistent moves toward the full implementation of all the requirements of the convention. Considerable progress has been made this year and we have effective structures in place. The structures include the national disability strategy steering group, assisted by the disability stakeholders group, which holds the Government to account. The Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission is in the process of constituting its monitoring committee. This will complete another piece in the jigsaw.

Of course it is important that we acknowledge the need for services for people with disabilities. I will set out five examples. We have restored the carer's grant to €1,700 for 101,000 families. We have brought in the medical card extension for children in receipt of the domiciliary care allowance. A total of 11,000 children have benefited. We have given an extra €10 million through the Ability programme. We gave an extra €10 million in 2018 for the respite care houses. The last of the 12 houses is being completed next week. The past three budgets have seen a €15 increase in the disability allowance. We are moving along. Do we want to move faster? Yes, absolutely, and I will drive this legislation. I will drive the disability agenda forward with respect for human rights for all citizens in the country.

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