Barry Heneghan (Dublin Bay North, Independent)

I thank Sinn Féin for bringing forward this motion and the Government for not opposing it. All of us, on the doors and in our email inboxes, have heard and read the same stories time and again. It is a huge part of why I got involved in politics and I think that would resonate with a lot of people here. They are the shocking cases of families, young children and adults left behind by the system and of people with disabilities denied the support they deserve. That is why I welcome the increase of €620 million in disability funding in budget 2026. It is a step forward, and I thank my colleagues in the regional Independents and all members of the Government who pushed for it. It is about making disability and carers a real priority, not an afterthought, but we need to make sure this increase in money in the budget is spent well and efficiently . This is not just about figures on a page; it is about giving families and carers the support they deserve.

As I was in my office, I heard other Members speak about emails they have received and I rang a constituent who I have been working with since I entered politics as a councillor. I welcome to the Public Gallery Ciarán Delaney, my disability adviser, who has been working with me tirelessly on this case. This is the Minister of State's first year in her post and we have spoken in depth about this while she has been in her ministerial role. I hope she knows that what I am saying is not directed at her but at the current system, which I know she agrees needs to be changed. For years, Saoirse Smith, a 34-year-old wheelchair user from Clontarf who works full time in the public sector, has wanted what every citizen wants.

She wants to work, contribute to society and live with dignity and respect but since the first time I met Saoirse, that has not been the case. She is struggling and since going back to work she feels like she is being punished. Because she is in full-time employment, Saoirse has lost her full disability allowance and her mobility allowance. There was a recent article about this case in The Irish Independent. Now she fears she will lose her medical card when she gets married, I have met her future husband, as she thinks she will be means-tested as part of a couple. Her disability does not disappear because she goes to work. Now she wants to stop working. Ciarán knows this case and has been working with me on it. We should not have to work on this case. It should not even be a case. People with disabilities should not have to face the higher cost of living but they do. They face a way higher cost of living than most of us. The should not fear losing supports for medical needs, equipment and personal supports by going to work. When I was on the phone to her 30 minutes ago, Saoirse asked me to share her words:

This is supposed to be a happy time planning but it is not. I am worried about what I am going to lose.

People with disabilities and their families have been crying out for this for years and have been promised it again and again but people with disabilities cannot live on these broken promises. They need delivery. They need for these promises to be delivered. I welcome much of the strategy that was recently announced. I welcome that we dealt with a lot of DPROs. I have mentioned how one or two of the DPROs that were engaged in this strategy cannot be classified as DPROs since the UN convention. This is not what they are due to the enrolment process that they have.

Ireland has one of the lowest disabled employment rates in Europe and the gap remains among the widest. This is why we must set and meet binding targets but unless every Department and agency is held to account, these targets will just remain words.

I have seen this first-hand with my parliamentary assistant Michael who has a disability. This is his first ever job. Since entering this House on day one, he has shown the difference being included makes. He has never felt let down. He has never let his disability hold him back and I have never been let down by him. I have a huge amount to thank him for. However, when our office looked to the wage subsidy scheme to help with his disability for when he does find it difficult we were told it does not apply to Members of the Oireachtas. That is a missed opportunity. I have heard Members from both sides of the House raise the wage subsidy scheme. It is important that we look at bringing it into the Houses of the Oireachtas because it would bring more people with disabilities working right here with policymakers. It would make a huge difference. If we allowed Members to access schemes like that, we would have more people with disabilities who could work right here in Leinster House, giving them their voice at the highest level we can achieve for people with disabilities.

My time is running out. We need clear, measurable targets and for deadlines for waiting lists to be addressed. Deputy Lawless mentioned bringing back our talented therapists. I spoke about this recently and how there is a huge waiting list with Coru of those who qualified in the UK. This needs to be fast tracked. They should not have to wait 18 months or two years.

I wholly support the motion.

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