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

Our commitment to parents and compassion extends to everyone, regardless of their abilities. However, the proposed tiered payments based on perceived work capacity have significant flaws. They lack meaningful consultation with the disabled individuals who are the very people most affected by these policies. Without their input, we risk overlooking critical aspects of their needs and experiences. These tiered payments will fail to lift disabled individuals out of poverty. Imagine navigating a complex system where your financial well-being hangs in the balance. For those with invisible or episodic disabilities, the process becomes even more challenging and impacts their mental and physical health. Universal payments offer a fair solution by providing consistent support to all disabled people and carers. We thereby create a safety net that does not discriminate based on perceived abilities. Disability is diverse.

I will also talk about people who are trying to get disabled certificates for their cars. It is impossible to get a certificate. Even if you are incapacitated, you cannot get one. It is an insane situation. The Government has put in place a scheme that does not work. Heads need to roll. They rolled previously when the issue came before the courts.

There are also issues in respect of school buses and special needs assistants, SNAs. There has been no extra pay for people who have been working for the past four years. People are working up to six hours every morning, typically from 6 a.m. until 10 a.m., and are working again in the evening but they have no pay during mid-term, Easter or Christmas holidays. Those are people who look after others with disabilities. It is unfair.

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