Paul Murphy (Dublin South West, RISE) | Oireachtas source

Covid is brutally exposing existing vulnerabilities in individuals but also in our society as a whole. This is very true in terms of our disability services and the effect the coronavirus is particularly having on people with disabilities. The pre-existing conditions are there for all to see with regard to the brutal facts of the treatment of people with disabilities in the State. There are close to 650,000 people with disabilities in Ireland and their poverty rates are 10% higher than the average in the EU, with Ireland among the five worst European countries. Ireland has the lowest employment rate for people with disabilities in the entire EU, 20% lower than the EU average. People with disabilities have double the average rate of homelessness, with 27% of the homeless population having a disability.

All of these are the consequences of ideology and of underfunding, underinvestment over decades and a model based on the hollowing out of public services and, in reality, giving responsibility to private organisations. These are partially funded by the State and then have to fundraise themselves because the funding they get is inadequate as opposed to the State taking responsibility itself. Coronavirus hit along with all of the restrictions we know about and as a result services almost came to a total stop. They have been partially restored and now they are approximately 40% of what they were, which is completely inadequate.

There are many issues. Disability services are in crisis and I echo the point made by Deputy Boyd Barrett on Saint John of God services. That is not our model but the fact that it is speaking about withdrawing entirely and transferring responsibility back to the HSE because of continuous underfunding speaks to the level of crisis that exists.

A particular point was drawn to my attention by a constituent, Lorraine, about a meeting that the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers had with the Minister of State looking for extra necessary funding in light of Covid. I understand €10 million was granted. I heard the Minister of State say that this was €10 million on top of this money and that money. These are the people who know which resources are needed. From their point of view, it is completely inadequate. Lorraine told me that this shortfall is concerning and that words fail her in terms of dealing with it.

I pay tribute to those campaigners who have fought and continue to fight on the issue of disabilities and dragged this State to sign the UNCRPD. I also pay tribute to groups such as Enough is Enough representing carers who have enough troubles in their lives without having to fight for the very basic services to which they should be entitled. They are responsible for coining the slogan "Nothing about us without us". That is the model of disability services and assistance we need in the State. It is based on independent living, along with the right of people to choose the care and assistance most appropriate to them.

As Deputy Boyd Barrett asked, will the Minister of State ratify the protocol to give people the right to complain about breaches of the UN convention and to take legal action on that basis? Will she commence the full Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act and the Education (Admissions to Schools) Act fully to ensure equal access to education and health services for people with disabilities? Will she increase the disability allowance? Will she provide assistance for carers? Will she, at a minimum, suspend the reviews of carer's allowance until the impacts of Covid-19 have been fully considered or at least for a year? Will she raise the basic rate of carer's allowance?

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