Michael Collins (Cork South West, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Social Democrats for putting forward this motion, which I fully support. Indecon International produced a report on behalf of the Department of Social Protection looking at detail of all of the extra day-to-day costs faced by people with disabilities. An extensive survey, incorporating feedback from thousands of disabled people across Ireland, was completed by consultants from Indecon in early 2021 and a report was submitted to the Government. We have been told that each Department has since examined the report. However, it appears that the report has not yet been presented to Cabinet by the Minister for Social Protection, as promised. Four years after the research was first announced, not a single additional financial support has been made available to people with disabilities in Ireland. As every day passes, disabled people can justifiably feel that they are being left behind and that their inclusion is not important. Failure by the Government to publish and act upon the report prior to budget 2022 meant that the disabled people were not properly factored into the financial planning for 2022. Only for families trying their best to get support and put pressure on every Department, one wonders where people with disabilities, such as Mr. Jim O'Mahony from Kilbrittain and others, would end up.

The people of west Cork are trying to put together local funding to build an autism centre in the area. I must acknowledge what the Minister of State has done for the people in the area in fairness and the fact that she continues to engage with them to help them further their cause. They greatly appreciate that.

This is a major issue in west Cork. I would appreciate it if the Minister of State would continue with the good work she has been doing there so far.

We have other problems in the context of adults with disabilities who are growing up and living with their elderly parents in some cases, through no fault of their, own getting aggressive with their elderly parents. There should be services available for these situations. I can inform the Minister of State about some of them in my area. While Ireland is a great country for so-called inclusion, we should be ashamed of how our disabled people and families are treated here. The Parkinson's Association of Ireland will be before us today. Parkinson's is a disability in its own right. The association is looking for specialised nurses. It will be in the audiovisual room at 1.30 p.m. fighting that cause. It has had an uphill battle in this regard. I was contacted by a lady from Bantry this morning who has a child availing of services offered by CoAction. She has been looking for respite for four years and cannot get it. These are the issues people are facing on a daily basis. This is a difficult matter and it needs to be resolved.

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