Finian McGrath (Dublin Bay North, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Senator for raising this important issue. I agree with him on it and am well aware of the valuable work of the National Platform of Self Advocates. I am glad to have the opportunity to address this issue on this important International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

The Government is committed to providing services and supports for people with disabilities which will empower them to live independent lives, provide greater independence in accessing the services they choose and enhance their ability to tailor the supports required to meet their needs and plan their Iives. The overarching principle governing the planning and delivery of services and supports for adults and children with disabilities is that they should be as integrated as possible with services and supports for the rest of the population. Significant year-on-year budgetary increases in the disability sector have positively impacted on the lived experience of people with disabilities. However, I recognise that daily challenges remain for many people with disabilities and their families.

Addressing the needs and rights of people living with a disability, as well as those of their families, is a priority for the Government and my primary focus as Minister of State with responsibility for disability issues. As the Senator rightly pointed out, the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities supports that priority through providing a comprehensive and robust framework for the realisation of rights. The Department of Health and the HSE have responsibility for a significant number of actions under the national disability inclusion strategy, as do several other Departments. The HSE national service plan is focused on providing supports to people with disabilities and enabling them to maximise their full potential as independently as possible.

I share with my ministerial and Government colleagues a strong desire to ensure that people with disabilities are afforded every opportunity to realise their potential in every dimension of their lives. In this regard, disability advocates have been tireless champions in shaping the way we, as a society, think about disability in the context of moving towards social inclusion being accepted as the norm. The National Platform of Self Advocates was established in 2011 by people with intellectual disabilities and was funded by a grant from Atlantic Philanthropies. Unfortunately, that funding ended last year when Atlantic Philanthropies ceased operation. Since then, I have remained in regular contact with the platform to secure its immediate future through interim funding and its long-term future by trying to secure long-term Government funding. I am in constant contact with Government colleagues to secure this funding and will continue those endeavours.

In 2019, the Disability Federation of Ireland, DFI, and Inclusion Ireland will receive HSE grants of €1.2 million and €632,000, respectively, enabling them to ensure that the voices of people with disabilities are heard when it comes to changes in services and legislation that will improve the quality of life and participation in Irish society of people with an intellectual disability. The role of service users in informing health and personal social service provision through advocacy is well documented. Effective service user involvement through organisations such as DFI and Inclusion Ireland enables services to anticipate problems, address complaints, develop appropriate and effective service provision. It guarantees that service users will be at the centre of efforts to improve the quality and safety of service provision for many years to come.

On the Senator's four particular questions, I strongly support the national platform. Over the past two years, I have provided it with interim funding and I will continue to so do until the other issue is resolved. On the Senator's second point, I will respond positively to the organisation because it makes a valuable contribution to Irish society. Ten days ago, I sent a cheque of €5,000 to assist it. Further interim funding will soon be issued. As the Senator rightly pointed out, and in line with the convention, we need a group such as the National Platform of Self Advocates which is involved with mainstream disability groups such as DFI and Inclusion Ireland. Negotiations with it are currently under way.