Joe O'Reilly (Fine Gael) | Oireachtas source

The pupils of the national school might decide to do a project on the Seanad. It could feature the teachers' very famous relation, Senator Craughwell, who is a distinguished Member of the House. They could do a special chapter on him.I am surprised Senator Craughwell did not say "No homework until Monday." I propose as a motion in the House that there be no homework until Christmas. Our guests in the Gallery are very welcome.

Saturday is the European Day of Persons with Disabilities. It is a day when Europe reflects on the value and contributions people with disabilities make to European society, as well as the challenges and difficulties that are there. This week in Brussels, there was a high-level conference on the issue of employment of people with disabilities. This country does not perform well when it comes to employing people with disabilities. Among blind and visually impaired people, 85% are unemployed, meaning only 15% are in meaningful, gainful employment. There is no excuse for that. They have the same intelligence levels as everybody else but the problem is that the structures, supports, facilities and services are not in place. Digital accessibility is at a low level in this country and the necessary supports and equipment are not really available or provided.

At some stage in the new year, we should have a debate on the employment of people with disabilities. Many good things are happening in this country and many organisations do good things but, overall, we are not performing at the level we should be. I will be proposing that.

I hope all persons with disabilities have a reflective and enjoyable European Day for Persons with Disabilities. It is an opportunity to mark our successes. We have the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities. Much of it is ratified here but it is not fully ratified. That is work that needs to be done by the Government. It is important that we acknowledge the phenomenal contribution that persons with disabilities make to our society and country.