Laura Harmon (Labour)

I thank the Minister for engaging with us on this. I commend the Bill and support my colleague, Senator Clonan. He has been more than reasonable and fair in requesting that the delay not be 18 months but that we could look to December of this year. That should be ample time to get this in order. I do not think anyone in the Chamber should apologise for showing emotion. I think the public likes to see our public representatives have humanity. This is a deeply concerning issue that affects so many of our fellow citizens. We all may need this legislation in the future as well. I support absolutely the right to independent living and the review that is taking place. There needs to be a dedicated budget office in each regional health area to support people with disabilities. Persons with disabilities are entitled to the same rights as others, as per the UNCRPD and the European Social Charter.

This amendment to the Disability Act 2005 intends to empower disabled citizens to live autonomous and independent lives in line with EU standards. It would also take away control from the HSE and put it back into the hands of people with disability and their carers. Last week at the joint committee, Bernard Gloster, the HSE chief executive, said that personalised budgets are a brilliant concept but difficult for the HSE to achieve. He said, "...by our nature as public services, still coming from a very paternalistic approach in terms of how to care for people. That is not always the best approach, but we do it from the best place.” This Bill would allow progress it take place in this area.

It is worth noting that we are going back many years where there were promises in relation to this, and it was included in the 2016 programme for Government as well. Ireland is legally obliged under the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, with Article 19 entitled “Living independently and being included in the community”. My colleague, Senator Tom Clonan, said previously that we are 30 years behind the European Union and all parts of the UK in respect of disability rights. I was struck today again at the disability matters committee, where the National Disability Authority confirmed that we have the widest participation gap of disability employment in Europe. We are 20% behind the average of our counterparts in Europe. It is reflected over many different areas.

This Bill is based on consultations conducted by the Government with disabled persons organisations and the disability action plan that was conducted in 2023. It will help citizens impacted by acquired brain injury and road traffic collisions, and older age cohorts. All of us could or would be affected by this at some point in our lives.

The White Paper attached to the Bill examines how this subject is approached around the world, concluding with advice on how best to protect this right to a personalised budget. I fully support my colleague, Senator Tom Clonan, on this.