Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

It is great that the Minister will reach out to local authorities. I do not want to be Dublin Bay-North centred; this is for all local authorities. The main point is that we are already required by law to protect the rights of disabled people by ensuring there is equality, accessibility and non-discrimination. The Government has a pivotal role in providing local authorities with adequate resources to fulfil their obligations under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. This requires a significant increase in funding for local government. I called for that yesterday and I am calling for it again. Local government is what we need to be funding because those involved know the people on the ground and the people they are dealing with. I urge the Government to do that. It creates a more equal system where no region is left behind.

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