Ivana Bacik (Labour) | Oireachtas source

I commend the Cathaoirleach, Leader and staff for enabling us to meet here in the Leinster House complex, following the meeting of the leaders and Whips on Tuesday. It is very good to see the constructive resolution of the difficulty of ensuring the Seanad can sit and fulfil its democratic and constitutional function while observing social distancing. We all appreciate this and look forward to working constructively to ensure we can continue to fulfil our constitutional function in an efficient and safe manner.

I renew my call for the Leader to ask the Minister with responsibility for children, disability, equality and integration to the House in early course to have a debate with us on the challenges and issues that arise under his portfolio, on which I am glad to be spokesperson for the Labour Party.A number of issues of concern have arisen in recent days. I note today's call by Inclusion Ireland to ensure that the reopening of day services for persons with intellectual disabilities is expedited. There has been a very serious impact on many children and adults with disabilities due to the closure of services and the absence of services over the past few months, since lockdown commenced. All of us are well aware of individuals on whom this has impacted very severely. I see calls also from groups such as Féach, which represents children with visual impairment or visual disabilities, to ensure that July provision is made available and that adequate facilities are in place such that children in particular but also adults do not fall back and lose out terribly as a result of lockdown.

Finally, I welcome the call by Government to implement a public consultation on the implications of remote working. This is a huge issue for many people, particularly those juggling childcare and other caring responsibilities, and there has been a really serious gender dimension to it. We have seen a particular impact on women as a result of having to work from home as well as bearing a large portion of caring responsibilities. I hope this will be raised in the context of the discussion on remote working. Clearly, there are also advantages to remote working for many involved in not having to commute or engage in long hours on public transport or in cars. I know loads of workplaces that are looking seriously at how to implement that into the future but we also need to consider the disadvantages, particularly the gendered impacts that remote working will have into the future.