Martin Conway (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

I want to be associated with the welcome to Senator Tom Clonan. It is great to have another voice articulating the needs and the many challenges that people with disabilities in this country face. I wish him well and look forward to working with him.

In terms of the Ukrainian crisis, I am very concerned about people with disabilities trying to escape Ukraine. We should have statements in the House with the Minister of State with responsibility for disability, Deputy Rabbitte, on what the Government's response specifically is to people from Ukraine with disabilities who are seeking sanctuary in this country. They have their permission to remain so they have the full rights that every other citizen in this country has. As time moves on, as more people from Ukraine are coming here and as the system is getting used to it, particular difficulties and challenges are emerging. I do not believe that the State response is strong enough or quick enough in embracing this, particularly in terms of education. There are some areas where it is happening very quickly but there are other parts of the country where it is happening particularly slowly. We need to have a rolling engagement on Ukraine. Once we come back after Easter, we need to have this on the agenda every week so we can interrogate various aspects of the Government response.