Ruairí Ó Murchú (Louth, Sinn Fein)

In fairness, I do not think anybody will have any major issue when they read the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030. There is nothing wrong with the names and there is nothing wrong with the pillars. Like the Minister, anyone who has spoken to disability groups, or those who have had to deal with the realities of disabilities, will speak about all those particular issues that impact. We are talking about the cost of disability, the inability to get social care and healthcare, the added cost related to that and, obviously, transport. We all know it is an absolute disaster in relation to school. Even where circumstances and situations are dealt with, at this moment in time, that causes a huge level of stress for families. With disabilities we can sometimes over-concentrate on children because of the huge failures there are. We have to recognise that it impacts more widely. We are looking for a framework that will provide for people from cradle to grave.

The reality is that we need to see the action plan. The Cabinet subcommittee on disability and the disability unit in the Taoiseach's office are fine, as is the strategy. It will be about the action plans and how the Government is held to account and how it holds itself to account. I think the Minister would accept that there have been failures, particularly from the point of view of parents. Talking about children, there have been huge issues in recent times and this comes across the Minister's desk. It is fair to say we need to deal with the child protection issues, whether that is in the cases of Kyran Durnin or Daniel Aruebose. I think we are all glad his body was found, but we need to make sure the review mechanisms and the proper guidelines and protocols are in place and that they are adhered to. It is not only about investigating these cases; it is about making sure no more cases happen.

I also raise the issue of specialist public health nurses, which were planned for previously. The idea is that they would engage with families and screening would take place and if it is the case that families need additional supports, they should get them. Everyone was taken by Gillian Sherratt and Stephen Morrison, the parents of Harvey Morrison. We were lucky to have them at our think-in recently. While the Taoiseach has spoken about complex and clinical issues, I think we will all accept that there have been failures in dealing with children as regards spina bifida and scoliosis and probably across the board in Children's Health Ireland, CHI. We need to have some sort of plans about delivering what is required. I was very taken by what Stephen said. He said children, in particular his son and others, were being failed from birth and even before it. That should not be possible.

I recognise there was huge engagement with those with disabilities, but I have received complaints from Physical Impairment Ireland and Voice of Vision Impairment about the lack of engagement with them. We need to make sure it happens because it is about those who have to live the reality. They need the plans and strategies to be based on their requirements. We were lucky that at this think-in we also had Cara Darmody and her father, Mark.

There are huge questions about the assessment of need, AON, legislation. It does not relate specifically to the Minister's brief but it does have an impact on huge issues. What will happen? There are proposed changes. At the end of June, 16,593 children had not been dealt with in relation to an AON. Looking towards the end of the year, the figure now is 23,903. This will not work at all. The children's disability network teams, CDNTs, are missing staff from positions. Some 445.3 positions are unfilled and even if they are filled, that will not deal with the requirements of those waiting. On in-school therapies, the Minister said we are only talking about 45 schools being served this year but no one has been appointed to a position yet.

I could go on for considerable time. No one will doubt that. We need to see action.

See this speech in context