Mattie McGrath (Tipperary, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I compliment the movers of this motion, Solidarity-People Before Profit. Last year, the Minister tried to introduce a British system, which has caused uproar, and we know why. The Green Paper tried to tackle related issues, including the cost of disability and the low employment rate among people with disabilities, with a single policy change and it has not worked. Everyone will know what I am talking about but I will use one person to prove my case. People might have read about the wonderful achievements of Mr. Shaun Fogarty from Cahir over the new year. In 2013, Shaun, then a 19-year-old student, was left paralysed following a devastating car accident. His family were told at that stage that he would never eat, drink or speak again. What a prognosis. In the 11 years since his accident, Shaun has overcome massive challenges with the support of his parents, Gretta and Kevin Fogarty, the rest of his family and his carers. He showed great determination and strength and after three years in hospital, and a considerable challenge to get him a home care package, Shaun eventually returned home to the care of his family in 2016. Since then, Shaun has shown great resilience and went on to complete a master's degree. Despite showing such determination and resilience, and overcoming so many obstacles, Shaun is now restricted from taking up work or from earning more than €375 per week as for him to do so would result in him losing his medical card. Imagine that.

Shaun is an inspiration to us all and shows us what is possible with great resilience. However, what Shaun cannot overcome are the limitations now being put on him by red tape and bureaucracy. After overcoming such challenges, Shaun and others like him should be allowed to work, to seek full employment, and not to lose their medical cards and to be restricted. Simple things like that mean an awful lot. If we are to do anything, we should change those guidelines because they are totally unfair to people such as Shaun who are such an inspiration. There are many other Shauns throughout the country.

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