Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I almost feel that we are on a hamster wheel having these discussions on disability. I get that everyone across the board is aware from the issues that are raised in their constituency offices, from canvassing doors and even from familial connections, of the huge want and need that is out there and the huge amount of frustration we are addressing with families, even if we only deal with the issue regarding autism services. I have heard a number of the speeches that have been made and they are very similar to speeches made last week, the week before and even for the entire period of the previous Government. We often implore here but I really do implore the Minister. We really have to get down to brass tacks. Even today, when we are talking about disabilities across the board. We have had the issue regarding the HIQA report into Sunbeam House Services. We need to ensure that whatever service we provide is above par and that we are providing the service that is required for some of our citizens out there who need the most help altogether. I have also had calls in the past while and heard about the huge worries in the disabilities sector regarding the pay-in-hours strategy and the fear that what has happened - whether we are talking about hospitals, section 39 workers and others who are dealing with issues like mental health services, with the cuts that have happened with staff. The fear in the disability sector is around all the issues of underfunding and the issues as regards section 39s. The fact is that we have to deal with those workers' issues so we can at least help in the retention of the workforce. We are talking here about people who will put up with a hell of a lot on the basis that they are utterly committed to those citizens to whom they want to give care and whom they facilitate.

An issue I have spoken to the Minister, Deputy Lawless, about and have dealt with the two previous Ministers about is higher education, personal assistants and personal assistant hours in further education. In my own constituency, I refer to the Drogheda Institute of Further Education, DIFE, and the Ó Fiach Institute of Further Education. While some room for manoeuvre provided regarding an increased pay rate, a 52-week contract is still not provided. We are failing those workers but we are also failing those whom they are helping and facilitating to stay in further education. We are talking about accessibility across the board. We need to ensure it happens. This is a cradle to the grave issue. I am hoping I will table a question regarding CDNTs. I will say it again about the school inclusion model: we need to put the service where the need is.

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