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

The board of the Irish Wheelchair Association made a decision. Incidentally, one third of the board is made up of people with physical disabilities. That decision was the board's choice. While I had nothing to do with the situation, I am always open to working with people to resolve conflict.

With regard to the assessment of need, it is absolutely correct to state there is an issue. I take that on board. The up-to-date position on the recruitment process to deal with the delays is that, in last year’s budget, we got the go-ahead for 100 new speech and language therapists and occupational therapists to try to reduce the waiting list. The bad news is that it has taken us a long time. We have recruited only 63. The good news is that the other 37 will be in place by the end of this month. I hope that will make a difference. We had a problem. There are to be additional therapy posts, ranging from speech and language therapists, occupational therapists and physiotherapists to social workers and psychologists.

I am conscious that timely access to assessment services is imperative in a child's development. I take the point in this regard and I understand how delays in accessing services are a source of great concern to all Senators. I am confident, however, that the 100 therapists will be in place. We need to keep this rolling. There also were internal trade union matters associated with the assessment of need.

I mentioned Cuisle and note that Senator Devine talked about the Oireachtas group and I agree with her. I have dealt with the optional protocol. The Senator made a very relevant point on the resourcing issue. I want to be able to draw on the UN convention — Senator Conway mentioned this — as an international convention. The real point, however, is that made by Senator Devine, which is about making rights real for people. That is essential and what we need to achieve. We need to ensure follow-up. That is my job at the Cabinet table. I have to make that a top priority, and I will do that.

I agree on congregated settings. As far as I am concerned, I want as many people out of them as possible. So far this year, we managed to get 132 out. I would like to do more. The same goes for the nursing homes situation. It is unacceptable to have young people, particularly those with disabilities, living with patients with dementia, Alzheimer’s disease and so on. There is no debate about that.

Senator Ruane mentioned the poverty issue. It is important. I dealt with the protocol issue. We have brought the Disability (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill as far as Committee Stage. It is stuck there and we are trying to resolve the impasse. I have the Bill ready to roll. A couple of colleagues have issues but I hope there will be movement on this in a matter of weeks. The Senator is correct that it is unacceptable to have high rates of poverty among those with disabilities. I am trying to tackle that. Senator Conway touched on the idea that the best way to deal with the problem is to realise there are many people with disabilities who have many abilities and to get them a job. They will not lose their medical card, as is being suggested.

Senator Conway said that, when he was going to school, there were no special needs assistants and that there are now well over 10,000. When my daughter, who has a disability, started primary school 25 years ago, there was no such thing as a special needs assistant. She was the only child with Down's syndrome in the mainstream class in Killester girls' national school. There were fantastic staff there; it is a very inclusive school but it had absolutely no resource hours or special needs assistants. While circumstances have improved, we need to move on this.

Senator Conway mentioned having a Minister of State at the Cabinet. This is important because Governments have many priorities and one has to remind colleagues constantly that it is not just the Minister of State responsible for disabilities who has a role, because every single person around the table has responsibility with regard to disability.

Senator Murnane O'Connor mentioned transport in Carlow the last time I was here. I am working on that and have been on to the various transport officials about it.