Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

It is a pity the Minister has to go but he has an able deputy. I join others in commending Senator John Dolan on tabling a very opportune, appropriate and detailed Private Members' motion. He is no stranger to advocacy work and has been involved in the disability movement for many years through his role as CEO of the Disability Federation of Ireland. I acknowledge the representatives of the DFI who are in the House today as well as other organisations and Elaine Howley, the head of advocacy in the National Council for the Blind of Ireland. I wish her well in her new role.

It is true to say that people with disabilities have been very adversely affected in recent years as a result of the recession and of decisions made by the previous Government and the one before to make cuts in respite care and adaptation grants given to councillors to facilitate people, especially older people who acquire a disability later in life and require help to remain in their homes. Those measures could and should have been avoided but were not. Governments make choices but they could easily have made alternative choices.

There should not be tax cuts in the next budget and future budgets because we do not need tax cuts. We need investment in public services, housing and our health services in order that they are brought up to a standard that is fit for purpose and in line with international standards. We have a housing crisis and I believe the Government is committed to resolving it. A plan will be published next week which will be a starting measure to address the housing crisis. I am comforted by the Minister's words this evening to the effect that people with disabilities would be an integral part of the plan.

I welcome the various strategies in which many people in the House have been involved. Senator Kelleher has done a lot of work on the strategies, especially in Cork. It is appropriate that we have local strategies because what is appropriate for Limerick city may not be right for Mayo or Clare. Localised strategies can identify how best the public purse can be used to the maximum effect to ensure people have independent living and that those who have the wherewithal, desire and ability to live in their own homes can have their homes modified to their needs.

We are coming from behind on this but we have to be positive going forward. Seanad Éireann has a significant role to play in reminding Government of its duties to all citizens of this country. This motion does that and I am glad the Government has decided to support it. It is the right thing to do. This House has a tradition of coming together when something is the right thing to do. In the previous Seanad there were motions on important issues like direct provision and I am glad we are coming together to support this motion and send a clear message to Government that this is an issue about which Seanad Éireann cares and in support of which it will come together. I am hopeful that, with the confidence and supply agreement that is in place and with the support of Fianna Fáil and Independents, the Government will have the necessary resources, confidence and competence to make a significant dent in what is a very difficult and challenging situation. If the Government is to run for five years, which is most unlikely, I hope we can come back here and celebrate success as we see the numbers dropping due to the collective efforts and energy of us all, with public representatives such as ourselves advocating and reminding and the Government delivering. In the ideal world anybody with a disability who wished to live at home and within the community would be facilitated and we may get to that at some time. Until then our progress needs to be accelerated and every measure needs to be taken to ensure that more people benefit from the ultimate desire we all have.

Many good ideas have been put forward today and Senator Craughwell's suggestion on VAT is worthy of consideration. We have to think outside the box to resolve these issues. The Minister said that the housing strategy to be published next week will be a fluid document and will be considered a work in progress, which is right and proper. If more resources become available they should be put into resolving the problems. There should be logical localised solutions, as what works in Cork may not work in Mayo and what works in Mayo may not work in Carlow. The possibility of various organisations, including NGOs, working together needs to be explored and actioned.

I wish the Minister well and I am encouraged by his words. Senator Dolan's first motion is timely and appropriate and it will have the desired effect.