Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I am determined to do what is required to provide for disability services for all ages. There are very substantial challenges. The new Government has been in office for three months. When I was a Minister in previous Governments, I made it my business to go above and beyond and to do something specific and extra for disability services, particularly in the areas of education and health. I am determined that the Government will respond in a comprehensive way to the needs of the disability sector. In addition to that, we need change and reforms within the sector. It seems to me that several service providers are in difficulty and some are moving out of the sector. That needs fundamental change as well. Resourcing will be provided, but we also need to look at the model of provision into the future. In my view, the State must take a stronger role in terms of the provision of such services. That is not casting aspersions on any particular service providers. As society evolves, there is a need to modernise our approach to the provision of services. I acknowledge that will require resources additional to the more than €2 billion that is currently allocated. I am prepared to work with all concerned, including all Members of this House, to identify the issues and deal with them in a comprehensive way.

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