Malcolm Byrne (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

It is good to see Senator Currie in the Chair. I note that I am the first male speaker in this debate, which is a message that needs to be sent out from this House. I encourage more of my male colleagues to come in and speak on this issue. I am particularly happy the Minister of State is in this brief. She has a real interest in and empathy for it. I know she visited a number of centres in County Wexford, particularly St. Aidan's in Gorey, which is close to my own heart. The people there extend their thanks to her for her achievement in the budget and some of the progress that has been made. As a Minister of State, she has put her money where her mouth is. She is investing and addressing the issues.

I echo the comments made by Senator O'Loughlin about the pay differential. It is wrong that pay in those voluntary service providers is behind pay in the HSE in spite of the fact that the staff are doing the same work. The problem is that many staff in voluntary day service providers are on 2010 scales rather than 2020 scales. Since 2013, the HSE has not increased the pay scales for those in voluntary service providers. This means that these service providers must spend a lot of time on fundraising.

Another crucial related issue is that we need to address early intervention, particularly in speech and language therapy, and assessment from a very early age, that is, preschool age. This is an essential support for disability services.I agree with Senator Ruane. Although I know the Minister of State is championing this, it is really important that the voices of those with disabilities are heard when it comes to disability services. I know the Minister of State is championing this and has put mechanisms in place, but in all of our decisions in this, it is absolutely essential that this happens.