Margaret Murphy O'Mahony (Cork South West, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the opportunity to speak to the motion and compliment Deputy Pringle and the Independents 4 Change on bringing it forward. I also compliment and recognise the role of ILMI in the campaign and in bringing forward the motion, and I acknowledge the presence of its representatives in the Public Gallery.

The importance of personal assistance in the lives of people with disabilities cannot be overestimated and it is almost impossible for some people to realise how difficult life can be for them. Fianna Fáil believes we must support people with disabilities to have more fulfilling lives and careers, and personal assistance hours are important in this regard. They are a crucial way to allow people with disabilities to enjoy equal and independent lives in the same way as others. We propose at least a doubling of the 1.5 million hours over the next five years. In that context, we are happy to support the aims of the motion.

Whenever I table parliamentary questions on the provision of personal assistance hours, they are referred to the HSE, which always replies that the need for increased services is acknowledged. The HSE has indicated that no additional funding has been provided for personal assistance and home support services since 2008, and as a result, waiting lists are not maintained as a matter of course. Nevertheless, the HSE provides information gleaned from the Health Research Board's planning analysis through databases for people with disabilities and, in line with the information available from the national disability database, reports that 291 people are listed as awaiting personal assistance services. It qualifies the figure, however, by pointing out that registration on the national disability database is mandatory and it is possible there is under-reporting of the need.

The increase in personal assistance support over the past five years has been modest, to say the least. In 2014, some 1.3 million personal assistance hours were provided to 2,186 people, an average of 603 hours per year, or 11.5 hours per week. For 2019, the HSE target was 1.63 million hours to 2,535 people, which is 642 hours per person per year, or just over 12 hours per week, the same as the upturn in 2018. According to the ILMI, however, a total of 84.44% of those who receive the personal assistance service receive less than three hours per day on average, with 44.41% in receipt of an average of 42 minutes per day. Everyone has to agree that anyone who receives an average of 42 minutes per day will not be able to live independently, access education or employment, or become involved in meaningful social engagement. People with disabilities who are subject to reduced services of this nature will become imprisoned in their homes, without the opportunity to interact, and may become prone to isolation and depression. With personal assistance services, people with disabilities get to be in control and direct the personal assistant to carry out tasks both inside and outside the home, including personal care, domestic duties, assisting in day-to-day tasks such as shopping, support in the workplace, or socialising.

A good point made in the debate was that a unique benefit of personal assistance services is that they diminish dependence on family and friends. The confidential relationship that develops between people with disabilities and their personal assistants enables disabled people to maintain a private life and their dignity. Personal assistants enable the transformation from existing to living, which is why they are so important.

It is welcome that the Government will not oppose the motion, although whether it will lead to more positive action remains to be seen. I will certainly seek action. There needs to be a decent increase in personal assistance hours in the 2020 HSE service plan, which would be welcome. I commend the motion and hope for action.

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