Trevor Ó Clochartaigh (Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Ba mhaith liom tacú leis an méid a dúirt an Seanadóir Ó Murchú maidir le muintir na Palaistíne. Beidh agóid taobh amuigh de na geataí ag 12.30 i.n. le tacú leis an ngéarchéim atá ansin agus le h-iarracht fuascailt a fháil ar na ceisteanna sin. Ceapaim go labhróidh an Seanadóir Cullinane faoi sin ar ball beag.

The programme for Government contained a commitment to promote the recognition of sign language. Yesterday, most of us were approached at the gates of Leinster House by a young man who held up a sign because he could not communicate otherwise. The sign read: "I am deaf. I need an advocacy service to help me access a society that I am isolated from. Our deaf advocacy service has been closed without funding. I would ask you to contact the Minister, Deputy Phil Hogan, to reinstate the funding because I can't." I ask the Leader to take that message to the Minister, although he has probably been asked to do so already. The National Deaf Society's advocacy service has closed its office with a loss of staff following the Department's announcement that it was withdrawing funding. This will affect 5,000 people.

There is much debate over what personalities will, or will not, be involved in the Cabinet reshuffle. Before the House rises for the summer recess, I want to raise the impact of the removal of the allowance for people accessing SOLAS-funded training. It was heartbreaking to listen to the presentations yesterday from a number of students who have experienced setbacks in their lives. They may have a disability, a mental health difficulty, an illness or an injury. They described what a huge impact a €20 cut in the allowance would have on their ability to continue in education. We need to address that issue.

I am raising this matter because negotiations are continuing between the Taoiseach and the Tánaiste on the programme for Government. These Houses should not rise without having some debate next week on what they have decided. Before the summer recess, it is important for us to know what direction this Government is taking. Will it maintain the promise to promote the recognition of sign language, as well as supporting the deaf community generally? Will it row back on cuts like those made to SOLAS-funded training? In what direction are we going? Will we merely see a change of personnel on the deck, or will the ship alter course? Many people, including those campaigning for Leader funding, want to see a change of course, as we do. It is only fair that parliamentarians should be given some indication of what direction the Government will take, instead of hearing it through the media. I would hope therefore that we can debate that matter before the House rises for the summer recess.