Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank my colleagues for bringing this important motion to the floor, particularly Deputy Tully for the personal work she has contributed towards it. The Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 is welcome. However, there is not a mention in the plan of ratifying the most important element of the UNCRPD, which is the protocol on the right for the individual to make a complaint to the United Nations.

A report undertaken by the Vincentian Partnership for Social Justice on behalf of Family Carers Ireland found that when compared with a household without a disability, the household caring for a child with a profound intellectual disability faces a greater depth of income inadequacy. Report after report has stated that people with disabilities are more adversely affected than healthy people by inflation and the cost of living and three times more likely to fall into poverty.

They must have enough money to live on. Allowances need to be increased across the board, and the carer's allowance should not be subjected to a full means test. Services are at an all-time low, waiting lists for speech therapists, occupational therapists and assessments are on the increase, and children and adults must wait for years for basics such as a wheelchair. This is the reality of living in Ireland in 2024. Existing staff are doing their best but the recent recruitment and retention ban is a genuine cause of concern for them and their clients and it is adding even more pressure to the already depleted services.

I have spoken many times about the group Families Unite for Services and Support, FUSS, whose members in County Wexford are campaigning for their children's rights. When are they and the children awaiting disability services in County Wexford going to see proper services provided? When are we going to see the vacancies in occupational therapy, speech therapy and psychiatry filled?

Transport, especially train services, is also a major issue. Often, journeys must be prebooked and they require extra staff for embarking and disembarking. This limits travel by people with disabilities to certain days and it is discriminatory. Local authorities must be given funding to provide and build independent living quarters and increase grants for small home extensions and conversions.

Family carers comprise the most valuable asset this country has. Without their individual sacrifices and help, the whole health system would crumble, yet they have very little or no access to respite. There are no respite beds available in Wexford town.

I acknowledge all the organisations, mostly voluntary, that advocate day in and day out and that look after people with disabilities. I also acknowledge the parents, carers and siblings, who deserve better services and much more help than what the State is providing.

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