Johnny Mythen (Wexford, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I thank Deputy Pauline Tully for her Trojan work in advocating for better services and conditions for people with disabilities and for bringing the Private Members' motion to the Dáil. One of the Government mantras is "Let's make the country a great place to do business in." However, on reflection it is not a great place to be disabled in. A recent workforce survey found 817 staff vacancies currently exist across children's disability network teams. Here are some facts from my own constituency of Wexford. New Ross has an allocation of 11.05 posts to CDNTs and currently has 6.9 vacant posts. Gorey has an allocation of 12.9 and currently has 6.8 vacant posts. Wexford has an allocation of 17.94 and currently has 6.8 vacant posts. Enniscorthy has an allocation of 20.3 and currently has 19.5 vacant posts.

There are 12 CDNTs in CH 05, catering for approximately 7,000 children. Of these children, around 1,700 are waiting for an initial contact. The assessment of needs processes is taking over two years. This is totally against legal obligations of the State. The evidence is in plain view before the Minister's eyes. Surely, he must see it is time to press the alarm button. How many of the 68 deficits that were identified in disability services have been addressed in the published action plan for 2024 to 2026?

I welcome the ratification of the optional protocol in the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which is so important for people with disabilities.

Section 39 workers must be given equal pay for equal work. I ask all Deputies to support this important motion.

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