Disability Issues
Dail Éireann — 2026-09-29
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Barry Heneghan (IND), Dublin Bay North

I will always push for plug-in solar. The Tánaiste sent a lovely letter to my office regarding finance and directly helping on that. We need to make it easily available for people across Ireland and do a pilot scheme for those with disabilities or those who live in rented accommodation. I appreciate the support I got from the Tánaiste's office in that letter.
I recently attended the Before We Die national assembly at the Helix, which is located in my old university. That campaign asks one fundamental question, namely who will care for adult children - people's sons and daughters - with intellectual disabilities when ageing parents are no longer able to do so? At the Helix, figures which show that 2,314 adults with intellectual disabilities are living with parents over the age of 70 were presented. More than 500 are living with parents over the age of 80. These families are providing lifelong care. Some of the supports the Tánaiste mentioned are a help to them. In the context of budget 2027, will he examine whether the tax system can give greater recognition to families caring for those with disabilities, particularly older parents who continue to provide full-time care, in circumstances where appropriate supports or residential provision are not available?

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Record URI: https://data.oireachtas.ie/akn/ie/debateRecord/dail/2026-09-29/debate/main
Retrieved: 2026-10-05T01:00:59+00:00
Sitting date: 2026-09-29