Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I welcome the Minister of State to the House. We are unanimous in the view that he is doing a huge job and that he is truly committed to what he is doing. He believes in what he does every day and that is great. He paid two visits to my native county of Cavan. That gives me the context to ask him to comment on the progress on the progress of the Holy Family school in Cootehill, which is a very important facility for my county and to comment on his wonderful visit to Enable Ireland on the invitation of my colleague, Deputy Brendan Smith. On that occasion, he came to Enable Ireland and the point was made to him that there was a problem with waiting lists in the various sectors for professionals such as speech therapists and occupational therapists, among others. I am happy that the Minister of State got a 4.4% increase in his allocation, meaning that the budget for this year will be €1.76 billion for this year. That is progress.

I want to race through a few things that I believe are important. I know, from speaking to the Minister of State, that my words will not fall on barren soil. Living in the community is so important. Supports need to be there in terms of home help. We need to have a broad interpretation of home help because it is a bit narrow at the moment. It is important that meals are cooked sometimes and that physical support is available, including help with shopping and different activities. Sometimes the definition of home help is defined narrowly as only being available for the personal care of those who require it. Perhaps the Minister of State could look at that. I mention it because of my practical experience of things.

The carer's allowance remains important, and the increases are welcome but we need to continue to increase the allowance and to continue to make it attractive. I was glad to see that medical cards for people in domiciliary care were introduced. Any help we can give carers or persons looking after people, and any supports and services they can be given, should be provided.

I am anxious that the Assisted Decision-Making (Capacity) Act be fully commenced. It is very important, because for so long the opposite existed. Nobody in this House needs a lecture on that situation. We need to support people in defining their own sick care.

Supported housing is very important. We have much to do in that sphere. We need supported housing where people can live in a community with in-built support and with professional assistance available in so far as it is required, including care assistance. That is a really important thing.

The housing adaption grants for persons with disabilities are important. They have been embraced in Cavan and Cavan County Council has really made a success of that programme. However, there is still a waiting list and delays, and there remains a need for more resources in that area.

I do not believe that the employment quota system is working very well. It absorbs people who are ill or who have acquired disabilities within the institutions and it is not taking in any new people from outside. That really needs to be looked at and perhaps should be increased. It also requires a very proactive approach from the Minister of State, and perhaps heads need to be banged together on that one. I will discuss one personal case privately with the Minister of State concerning someone who has great potential to work very positively, who has been trying to get employment for a long time but it is like banging one's head against the wall.

I was happy to see that the Minister of State approved the Irish Sign Language Bill and I congratulate Senator Mark Daly for bringing that Bill forward.

The Minister of State is doing great work and we support him on it. I hope he will be in our constituency more often to give us more good news.