The issue of child poverty can be exacerbated by disability. I want to bring up the case of 14-year-old Harry. He is non-verbal and has been diagnosed with ASD, ADHD and general moderate learning disability. He has been in University Hospital Limerick, UHL, since 30 March. He is in a state of extreme distress and is engaging in daily self-injurious behaviour. He is confined to a single hospital room under 24-hour supervision by security guards. This is a medical setting. Timber blocks have been installed on windows to prevent escape. This is a repeat of a 2022 incident where Harry was similarly marooned in UHL due to lack of appropriate HSE disability provision. He has been in a full-time disability service run by RehabCare for the past four years. He was put in a temporary Red House facility in Limerick on 11 February 2026. On 30 March, he escaped this, barefoot, releasing fire exits and climbing gates. He was on the main road. He was, and is, in a situation that is not appropriate. The family cannot get sufficient communication from the HSE. We need a solution to this situation.
Sentiment score: -0.04
No, it is in Limerick. Deputy McGettigan gave me the details and I can send them on to the Taoiseach afterwards.
Sentiment score: -0.15
I was contacted by somebody, like the Taoiseach, who might have an interest in the all-Ireland final on 19 July, before anyone mentions the county I am from, which is doing quite well at the moment. The fact is that the free travel option they would have on the basis of their disability was not available in the rail options that were open to them. They wanted this highlighted as a point. I agree with Deputy Conway-Walsh, and we have spoken before about the need for a cost-of-disability payment, but we need to increase supports for those in work too. The work and access programme and the wage subsidy scheme need to be looked at. The latter definitely needs to be applied to those who are also self-employed and entrepreneurs. I will give one example of another specific issue: I am writing to ask for your assistance regarding an issue I'm experiencing with the current taxi licensing system. I have a long-term spinal condition which limits my ability to carry out heavy manual handling. Under the current regulations, new taxi licences are restricted to wheelchair-accessible vehicles and standard saloon taxi licences are no longer being issued. As I am not in a position to safely operate a WAV due to my condition, I find myself effectively without a viable pathway into the taxi profession. Obviously, this is an unintended consequence, but it is something we need to look at.
Sentiment score: 0.27
It was about all-Ireland tickets for the person who could not get the free travel option for the all-Ireland final date. They have tried to book it but they are not able to get the free travel option.
Sentiment score: 0.13
Exactly. They are getting ahead of themselves, but you know-----
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There may be.
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No, it is-----
Sentiment score: -0.30
No, but these are not even the extra services that are put on. Usually this would be available but it is not available. The other thing was the guy with the spinal injury.
Sentiment score: -0.19
No. The guy with the spinal injury has been knocked out of the taxi industry because he has to buy a wheelchair-accessible vehicle and he is not able to operate it. I understand how this has happened. I will send it on. It is an unintended consequence.
Sentiment score: -0.14