Fiona O'Loughlin (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I second the Order of Business as outlined by the Leader. It came to my attention before I came into the Chamber that today is International Day of Parliamentarism. I wish Members a happy international day. It is important to recognise that we live in a country where democracy prevails. It is important also to appreciate and respect that.

One of the issues I wish to raise today is in regard to the disability capacity review. This was published a year ago and detailed the current outstanding, and indeed unmet, needs of HSE funded disability services up to 2032. It is basically a ten-year programme which highlights significant levels of unmet need. This is particularly significant for individuals with complex needs and for their family carers. The action plan to address those unmet needs was due to be published by last December. However, there is still no sign of it. We have to be particularly conscious of this as negotiations are well under way for budget 2023. I call for immediate publication of the action plan to ensure it is contained within the budgetary plan for 2023. That is essential so that another year does not pass with individuals and families left in limbo.

I also wish to refer to the fact the Defence Forces will be called up to work in Dublin Airport. There are not too many professions in which people are not sure where they will be called to day to day. The Army is one of those groups of people who are called in as a matter of last resort. They do that in the service of their country. It is important the training they are currently undergoing is certified appropriately because when anybody undertakes training for something, it is important to get that recognition. More important, I understand Dublin Airport Authority, DAA, will pay the Department of Defence for using the Army but there would be a discrepancy between that and what it would pay its staff. It is important those who serve in that capacity would get that differential and receive the same rate of pay per hour as those who work for the DAA.

It was announced this week that bus route 129 in County Kildare, between Kilcullen and Naas, passing through parts of the Curragh and Athgarvan, will cease operating tomorrow. A private bus operator operates this route with the public service obligation, PSO, levy. I appreciate fuel prices have gone up and that there can be difficulties with drivers but to suddenly pull out of an important service is unacceptable. Connectivity is hugely important. The route is used by school students, elderly people and care providers because it enables them to go between day services in Kilcullen and Newbridge. I have no doubt this route is not alone in the country in being pulled in this way. The National Transport Authority, NTA, must meet with the operators and try to negotiate even a more limited service. It is frustrating that we cannot table Commencement matters about the NTA. We should be able to raise that with the Minister for Transport. I call on the Leader to write to the NTA to see what can be done.