Violet-Anne Wynne (Clare, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank People Before Profit-Solidarity for using its Private Members' slot this week for this very important motion. It is fantastic news that the Green Paper on Disability Reform has been scrapped. Disabled people in my constituency were horrified at the proposal to categorise disability in three tiers according to perceived ability or inability to work. I acknowledge and thank the Clare Leader Forum, which was first out of the traps in responding to the proposal, organising consultations locally, which I attended. It stated that there was not enough focus on tackling the barriers that people with disabilities face in trying to access the workforce. The Green Paper did nothing to address those issues. That is where the Department needs to direct its focus from here on in.

We need to change the tide with regard to Ireland's poor performance in respect of people with disabilities and employment. The Clare Leader Forum has argued that not only should the Green Paper be scrapped but we must go further and provide substantial supports that help disabled people, including employment reform grants paid directly to employers for hiring disabled people and investment in grants towards employment supports to ensure disabled people have the resources to go to work.

They are also looking for the separate possession of a medical card from employment status. Many disabled people are afraid to take up work because they may lose their medical card. We need to ensure there is a human rights approach in this regard.

In the short time I have left, I wish to talk about local issues. There is a desperate need for at least four additional respite homes to ensure those who need respite can avail of it. I say this because people are currently presenting to UHL's accident and emergency department, which is not appropriate for them. There are many issues with assessments of needs in County Clare, with some people waiting more than 400 days. There is still no option to reimburse those who acquire private assessments and there is a major job of work to be done in terms of regulating those private practitioners.

I also wish to briefly mention the disabled drivers and passengers scheme, as I have been unable to make any progress to date in relation to a carer and the person he cares for in County Clare because they are not family. I was hoping for legislative change in this regard.

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