Pauline Tully (Sinn Fein)

First, well done to Senator Clonan. It is an excellent Bill. It was co-signed by the former Senators Warfield and Gavan from my party and we fully support this Bill. I sat with Senator Clonan and the Minister of State. I congratulate the Minister of State on her appointment to take on responsibility for disability. She has a good understanding of the issues facing disabled people from her time on the disability committee.

The Disability Act is 20 years old this year and it is time it was renewed, updated and reviewed. It was important that guarantees of an assessment of need within six months and a service statement within a month were inserted in that Bill. Unfortunately, while it might be done in many cases, I still encounter families who find it difficult to get their children assessed - different barriers are put in their way - and when the assessment has been carried out, they still do not receive the services they require.

Children who do not get the services and supports they require end up becoming dependent adults and that is not fair. All our citizens, whether they are born with a disability or acquire one through an accident or illness, are entitled to live independent lives and to be given the supports to ensure that can happen so that they will progress in life as children. A year is a short time in a child's life. In fact, six months is short. They grow so quickly and we are missing out on giving them the supports they need to progress in life, participate in education and go on to further education, apprenticeships and the workforce. They cannot do that unless they are provided with an assessment of need and the services they need as a child with progression into adulthood making the transition easier for them.

The Equal Status Act is also from 2000. Again, it needs to be reviewed on a regular basis and updated. All our public services should be accessible to all people. I spoke to a woman last week who was refused admission to a bus because she had a mobility scooter. She was told it was not their policy to accept mobility scooters. The mobility scooter was no bigger than a wheelchair. She was given false information. Another manager said people are absolutely allowed to take mobility scooters on the bus. To be given that information and for someone to be refused access is discrimination. She has used buses loads of times. She could not understand one driver and one manager who were extremely awkward.

We need to ensure that services for children are timely and that adults are able to access whatever supports and services they need to live their best independent lives. They are citizens of our country, they are human beings and that is what they deserve.