Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour) | Oireachtas source

I would like to thank everyone who contributed to the debate on this technical Bill. I suggest we should begin from the premise that the legislation is essential in the interests of public safety and registration. I fully accept that most medical professionals start from that premise. I have always believed that. If we start from that premise, it will be evident that this legislation is worthwhile. It is something that we should be doing on an ongoing basis. Practice and theory will change as we make progress and as our knowledge increases. That is why flexibility is needed in legislation and within the boards that are charged with registering and monitoring how the service is delivered to the public. I think everyone accepts that fully.

I will take on board what Senator Ó Murchú had to say about Part 3 of the Bill. I know he has a particular interest in a wide range of disability issues, including the intellectual, physical and mental health difficulties that people encounter as they live their lives. Part 3 of the Bill is not a finance-raising exercise. We have done a degree of consultation, not with the various organisations but with the people who deliver these services to those who need them. When we dig even deeper, we will probably find that the circumstances of those who receive these services will improve. Senator Ó Murchú and other Senators will be well aware that at present, some 80% of the income of people who live in congregated settings and in different institutions is paid as a contribution towards their maintenance and upkeep. With this addition to our legislative process, we are trying to ensure people who gain a greater degree of independence will have that recognised. This legislation will ensure that in such circumstances, the contributions they make will be reduced in a way that allows them to fund from within their own resources the type of social interaction we would like them to have.

I would like to reassure people that this is not about additional revenue to the State. It is about ensuring people have the right to a more independent life regardless of the nature of their disability. Equally, it is about enabling people to feel they are making a contribution and appreciate they have a right to expect more from those who are delivering the service on the basis that they are now equal members of society and are contributing towards their own keep. I hope that clarifies the matter. I hope people will accept my bona fides when I say that when it comes to people who have difficulties in life, it is always my intention to make their lives better, as opposed to what might be suspected. I hope that would be the intention of all of us. I know that it is, even if there are times when every one of us cannot do everything we would like to do.

I assure Senator Crown that we have consulted the optometrists, who are a vital and key part of this service. I know from personal and family experience and from experiences generally that they are often the first people to spot that there are difficulties. We sometimes do not see these difficulties ourselves. We have consulted them. We believe the questions they sent into the Department have been fully answered. I accept that may not be the case. In addition, they will be part of the consultation in relation to how the board is-----