Denis Landy (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise an issue on behalf of people who are deaf and blind in this country. According to the 2011 Census of Population, there are 1,749 people who are deaf and blind. They are not currently provided with services. Services are provided for deaf people and services are provided for blind people, but no services are provided for people who deaf and blind. Recognition has been given to this group across Europe. As far back as 2004, many EU member states recognised the group, including France, the United Kingdom, Germany, Italy and Denmark, but to date this country has failed to do so. They have dual sensory impairment. I request that the Leader contact the Minister for Health to ask him to help this group of people. On 28 May this year, representatives of the Anne Sullivan centre in Stillorgan came before the Joint Committee on Health and Children, which unanimously supported their case and wrote to the Minister on their behalf. The first step this group is seeking is recognition by the State and thus by the Minister for Health. They are not seeking funding at this time but they are seeking recognition. I ask the Leader to positively respond to this in order that we can start to help the 1,749 citizens living among us in our community who, unfortunately, are both deaf and blind.