The Order of Business is No. 1, Health (Termination of Pregnancy Services) (Safe Access Zones) Bill 2023 - Committee Stage, to be taken at 3.45 p.m. and to adjourn at 5.45 p.m. if not previously concluded; and No. 2, Employment Permits Bill 2022 - Second Stage to be taken at 6 p.m., with the time allocated to the opening remarks of the Minister not to exceed ten minutes, those of group spokespersons not to exceed eight minutes, those of all other Senators not to exceed five minutes, and the Minister to be given not less than ten minutes to reply to the debate.

I congratulate the Houses of the Oireachtas on winning the advancing disability equality award for organisations in the workplace with the OWL programme. The award was made at the Irish Centre for Diversity national awards. It is wonderful to see the Houses of the Oireachtas being recognised for this. We are the first and only parliament to organise an internship for young people from KARE and WALK in Walkinstown. I congratulate everybody involved but I particularly thank the Members and staff of the Houses for their support of the OWL programme.

When I was elected a Member in 2016, having an involvement with KARE through my brother, who is a service user, I was asked by the CEO if this was something we could possibly bring in. We looked at it, we advanced it and the Ceann Comhairle supported it. It really is a terrific programme.

I particularly thank all the ushers and other staff who make sure everyone who participates has a very meaningful experience. As we know, many of them have gone on to get permanent jobs in the Civil Service, including here in the Houses of the Oireachtas.

I have met many young people around Kildare who are aspiring to the OWL programme. It is a goal for them to be involved. Well done to everybody.

We all recognise that businesses are struggling. It is important that the Government does what it can. In budget 2024, the increased cost of business grant was introduced to help small and medium local businesses to deal with rising costs. Mainly, it supports them with the cost of commercial rates and the minimum wage increase. Having engaged with Kildare County Council, I am delighted to see that this scheme is being rolled out in March. It is important that we all do what we can to work with our local businesses - I am sure it will be March around the country as well – to make sure we support the SME sector.

The proposed citizens’ assembly on education is a once-in-a-generation opportunity to discuss a matter that is fundamental to our society. I have been engaging with Dr. Shane Bergin on the absolute necessity to have this. I note the Taoiseach recently stated that the Government will consider the question of further citizens’ assemblies in due course. However, there was a commitment that the citizens’ assembly on education would begin its work this year. As we are reaching the final furlong in this Government, I call for additional clarity in this regard. I hope we start the process sooner rather than later.

Christopher Norris is a 53-year-old gentleman who has been living in a nursing home for the past 13 years, since he had an operation that went desperately wrong and resulted in a brain injury. The nursing home he is living in is absolutely gorgeous. I know that because my dad was there for 18 months. My dad shared a corridor with Chris and lived two bedrooms up. They look after him incredibly well, as they do with everybody. However, the environment is entirely unsuitable for a man of 53 years of age with a brain injury. We have him on the fair deal scheme. We are treating him as if he had a pension and taking the money off him. There are absolutely no rehabilitative services with regard to him having an independent life at his age and with his disability. He needs to be supported.

The reason I stand today is because his dad, Christy, who is in his 80s, and his mam, Anne, are desperately worried about what will happen to their son, who has already been nearly 13 years in a residential setting that is not suitable for either his age or disability, if something happens to either of them. We all know we are all going in the same way with the circle of life. He needs to have a life. I mean no disrespect to the people in the nursing home because I can say honestly with my hand to my heart that they are gorgeous, caring and kind people. However, he is in the wrong environment. The family has found an environment that would be suitable for him, but we have come up against the usual nonsense that it is not HIQA regulated or he does not get money from the disability funds and is currently getting money from the fair deal scheme.

I ask the Leader to help me to organise a meeting with Anne Rabbitte because other gentlemen and women in this situation are being treated using the disability funds and are being given the dignity of an independent, supported life, which is what we want for Chris. I ask the Leader if she can in any way help me to organise a meeting with Anne Rabbitte so that we can put the case on behalf of Christy, his wife and their son, Christopher, to make sure he lives however many years he has left in an independent, dignified and supported way.