Erin McGreehan (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I echo Senator Seery Kearney’s views on disability permits. The system is antiquated and the exact same issues are raised with me constantly.

I want to raise two issues. First, I would like to hear from the Minister with responsibility for communications on the roll-out of the national broadband plan, which has been unacceptably delayed. I have been contacted by many parents worried about lack of access and about their children not being able to complete their studies, log on to lectures or even download course notes. This is a crucial piece of infrastructure and is as important as rural electrification. This country and, in particular, rural communities deserve access to broadband.

I must stress that the broadband connection points, BCPs, are nothing short of a con job in most places. There is one planned in my locality at the beach in Templetown, which is no harm, but that is no good to a child who wants to get an assignment done. The only good thing is that the one day that I get to go to the beach, my Insta stories will be updated quickly, but that is the only benefit.

Second, I call for a debate on mental health services. We are walking a slippery slope in this country in regard to mental health services. We need to ensure extra resources are poured into front-line mental health services, therapy that is in line with social prescribing and addiction services, such as Turas Counselling Services in Dundalk. Our nation's mental health is in crisis and we need to help our families and friends who are suffering deeply because of Covid and the lack of resources over many decades.As a previous speaker indicated, today is Make Way Day. I urge all Senators, when walking around the streets today, to look at the obstacles we all put in people's way. It is not people's disabilities that impede them but the things society puts in their way. We do not recognise their different abilities and how differently the world works for them. I urge all Senators to keep an eye out today - Make Way Day - and the next day.