Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

The Taoiseach might be aware that the Oireachtas disability group has highlighted the data deficit and the limited evidence on unmet needs of people with disabilities. Its concerns are well founded as Departments plan for another budget without the data needed to properly inform budgetary decisions crucial to the lives of citizens with disabilities.

I want to ask the Taoiseach about two reports that are outstanding and would go some considerable way to address this data deficit. The first is the Department of Health's disability capacity review, which was due to be published by the previous Government. The second is research by Indecon commissioned by the former Minister for Social Protection two years ago to consider the cost of disability. That report was due to be completed last year but the current Minister confirmed last week that it still has not been received. The delays in these publications are not academic matters. They are very serious. Can the Taoiseach reassure all of us that both reports will be published, and published in good time, to help inform a budget that I hope, on this occasion, will do justice to, and recognise the very considerable needs of, our citizens with disabilities?

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