Réada Cronin (Kildare North, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I, too, thank the Regional Group for introducing this important motion. I am glad to have the opportunity to speak on it. I am glad to be able to speak up for the great people in the constituency of Kildare North who are living with physical and intellectual disabilities and face barriers in their lives due to transport constraints. I am thinking of those debilitated by neurodegenerative diseases such as Alzheimer's disease and vascular dementia. For the past few years, I have been dealing with a man who lives in rural north Kildare. He is a lovely, elderly gentleman who is caring for his wife. The couple's drive in the car was one of their special times together to make memories. The man is heartbroken as he cannot manoeuvre his wife into the car anymore; it is just impossible. She is able to walk but just cannot take the instructions to get into the car because of her neurovascular disease. The man needs to modify his car as a consequence. I have been dealing with this lovely man for a few years now. He was really hoping to get the grant to modify his car so he could take his wife out. He said to me that she had looked after him all his life and that it was now his turn to look after her. The tears were rolling down his face when he said this because it meant so much to him to be able to bring his wife for a drive or to the shops or beach while listening to Kildare matches on the radio on a Sunday afternoon. He just cannot get his wife into the car. He and people like him must be able to get financial help to convert their cars for easy access. With the summer coming in, it is important that people have the opportunity to go on a Sunday drive. For many older people, this is their treat for the week. These moments really make a huge difference to people with a disability. The man told me that when he was able to take his wife out in the car, he did not feel she had Alzheimer's disease anymore.

It is estimated that by 2026, 16% of us will be classified as having a disability and, therefore, I hope this motivates the Government to improve access even if self-interest is the only way. This is why we must be concerned about the primary medical certificate and equal access because at the moment, it leaves a lot to be desired. The Ombudsman has highlighted how eligibility is extremely limited and restrictive. We have to find a way to include people. That would be great. Human rights are human rights. I used to work with people with disabilities. I always feel that they are treated as though they are getting a favour. That is not the case. We need to work so that we are all on a level playing field.

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