Mary Ann O'Brien (Independent)

I call on the Leader to lobby the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, to publish the Laurence Crowley value for money report and policy review of the HSE's disability services as a matter of urgency. If we cast our minds back to last January, when I introduced a Private Members' motion in the House that highlighted the glaring flaws in disability spending, we will recall that the debate on that gloomy Wednesday evening was one of the most productive discussions in the Chamber this past year. The session was lit up by the Minister of State's powerful and passionate contribution on disability. Nevertheless, it is now time for her to step up to the plate and act on that passion she displayed so strongly. At that time, the Minister of State informed the House that the area of disability funding needed much reform, and this reform cannot be carried out without the Laurence Crowley report. Having spoken to many groups and people in recent months, I sense that the feeling is that the sector is in a state of limbo until the report is published. Most worrying of all, cuts are still being made with little regard for individual needs or circumstances.

The Minister has had the report on her desk since 31 May last. She needs to publish it for all of us as soon as possible. Many of the report's findings, I believe, will not make pleasant reading, but we need to expose the waste and plot a way forward that provides value, is person-focused and allows us to free up capital in advance of the budget next December to protect services in this sector. A mature conversation in this House and among the public is now required if we are truly to protect the most vulnerable in society, which I am sure we will all strive to do. I call on the Leader to seek clarification from the Minister on when she intends to publish this report, because our break is only a month away. The report was originally commissioned in 2008. I emphasise how important it is that we have time to consider the report's recommendations well in advance of the budget.