Seanad debates

Tuesday, 3 December 2019

An tOrd Gnó - Order of Business

 

2:30 pm

Photo of Jerry ButtimerJerry Buttimer (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

Today is International Day of Persons with Disabilities. The Minister of State, Deputy Finian McGrath, has published the second action plan of the comprehensive employment strategy. In addition, it is important to recognise the work we have been doing in terms of the ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Disability allowance and carers' allowance were increased in the budget of last year. I refer also to the disability inclusion strategy and additional money being put into budgets of respite care, along with the home carer credit being increased to €1,200, benefiting 80,000 families, along with other suites of measures being taken by the Government. It is important that the issue Senator Ardagh raised regarding wheelchair use be addressed. I would be happy to have the Minister of State come to the House regarding the matter.

Senator Ardagh also raised the issue of the free books scheme. As somebody who taught in a school that had a free books scheme and in one that was introducing it, I believe it is important that we expand that scheme. There has been significant Government investment in the free books scheme in recent years and it is an important initiative to which we can add.

Senator Boyhan made reference to two very important items of legislation. I am told the Bill aimed at regularising and updating the electoral register, the register of elections Bill, is coming to Cabinet in the next two weeks. The electoral commission Bill is also being progressed and I am told it is the intent of the Minister to have that in the next two weeks. Those timelines are not signed into gospel so we cannot say they are the effective dates.

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