Eileen Flynn (Independent) | Oireachtas source

I understand that we are coming to the end of this term. However, I, along with its other members, would love the opportunity to discuss in this House the pre-budget submission that the Joint Committee on Disability Matters has worked on. We talk about the rights of people with disabilities, which needs to be represented in the media but which gets very little representation either in the media or, unfortunately, the Houses. Yesterday, Dr. Niall Muldoon, the Ombudsman for Children, said that very little has changed in the past ten years. He is looking for a stand-alone mental health budget for people with disabilities, especially children. Transport is a big problem for people with disabilities. I do not think anybody in this House would disagree with me when I say that we need to have the discussion. I spoke to the chairperson the of the Joint Committee on Disability Matters. He would love the opportunity to come in and present our pre-budget submission to the Seanad if the Leader could organise that. I understand that it is only two weeks before the recess, but it would be an absolutely crucial debate.