Martin Conway (Fine Gael)

I welcome the Minister to the House. I submitted this matter to highlight the fact that a young man of 18 years of age in County Clare has been refused disability benefit, although he has been diagnosed with ADHD. This young man will not work for the rest of his life, because he is incapable of working. His comprehension ability, delayed reaction and a myriad of other conditions feed into his overall inability to work. He is hyperactive at times and completely inactive at others. Anybody who met this young man would know he would never be capable of holding down a job, yet despite medical support he has been turned down for disability benefit.

I realise, better than anybody, that granting somebody disability benefit is a big step for any government or Minister, because once somebody receives disability benefit, he or she tends to hold it for a long time, unless their circumstances change significantly. However, there comes a time when common sense must prevail. Families already under pressure from looking after a person of this age need a break and should not be in a position where they have to fight the system and the Department. If this family did not provide the care it does to the young man in question, he would be in care and would cost the State significantly more. We should empower these families rather than be confrontational with them. While I understand that people have a responsibility to do a job, there comes a time when it is as clear as the day is long that a disability payment is required.