Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I have a few issues to raise. It is almost a matter of what not to raise after listening to the contributions of all the other Senators. I lend my support to the calls for the extension of maternity leave. I have had four babies. It is a very strange and vulnerable time. I have not had one during the pandemic but one cannot underestimate the worries and fears of a young family going through that situation now.They do not know whether they are going to be able to put their children into childcare. It is important that the Government looks after mothers and young babies for that extra 12 weeks.

The pandemic also highlights the problems with childcare in this country. I could not go out to work because I could not find childcare and now that I am here in the Seanad my partner is at home minding children but he is only able to do that because he is not lecturing at the moment. We will have a problem in September.

I also wish to raise the lack of disability proofing in legislation. Work has been done in this area and there have been positive moves, but it is not enough. We see mistakes and problems in accessibility all over the country. We have the wrong tactile footing and we do not have accessible playgrounds. In north Louth more than 15% of the population has disabilities. We are prohibiting 15% of the population from enjoying communities and towns. People cannot go down streets with bad footpaths. There is incredible discrimination against people with disabilities in this country. I would appreciate if the Minister with responsibility for disabilities would come in here to speak about how we will provide a positive roadmap for local authorities that would change their focus from not just getting things looking pretty; we need to make things equal and fair for all in the community.