Brian Ó Domhnaill (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I wish to raise a few points before the budget announcement next week. There are many competing priorities and everyone, including economists and lobbyists, will have different opinions. One area that was referred to today should be the first port of call for attention in next week's budget, namely, people with disabilities. Senators John Dolan and Mark Daly raised the issue. We heard about the situation in County Meath yesterday but that is only one case. People living with disabilities who are challenged on an hourly basis, some of whom are in chronic pain, should be the first point of any additional support from the recovery in our economy. There is a commitment on the programme for a partnership Government. The Minister of State for disability issues, Deputy Finian McGrath, has given a commitment that legislation to give to effect to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities will be passed before the end of the year and I hope that this happens. In addition to that, funding is required to give effect to the legislation and to support the convention.

Bhí mé féin agus an Seanadóir Ó Clochartaigh ag Buan-choiste na Gaeilge, na Gaeltachta agus na nOileán. Tá moltaí déanta ag na heagrais Gaeilge a tháinig le chéile go mbeadh airgead breise curtha ar fáil do chúrsaí Gaeilge agus Gaeltachta sa cháinaisnéis. Bhí ciorruithe géar ar an earnáil sin le roinnt blianta anuas. Tá moladh déanta go mbeadh ar a laghad €18 mhilliún ar fáil thar trí cháinaisnéis nó thart ar €4.5 mhilliún i mbliana. Tuigtear dom go bhfuil moladh déanta ag mo chomhghleacaí, an t-iar-Aire Gaeltachta, an Teachta Éamon Ó Cuív, go mbeadh €6 mhilliún ar fáil an bhliain seo chugainn agus go mbeadh €1.5 mhilliún den €6 mhilliún ar fáil do chúrsaí infreastruchtúir sa Ghaeltacht. Tá súil agam go mbeidh sé sin ar fáil fosta.