Providing support and resources for lifelong learning are essential if the Government are serious about realising the objectives of the National Positive Ageing Strategy. Public policies that support lifelong learning and foster educational attainment have an important role to play in addressing health inequalities and risk of dementia at population level. Sadly the share of […]
Read MoreIncrease access to higher education
“I will campaign for the Government to put policies and resources in place to address inequalities in education by increasing access to higher education for underrepresented groups” Education is a fundamental human right, Many groups of Irish society remain underrepresented in higher education, including members of the Traveller community, ethnic minority groups, and a number of SES […]
Read MoreRights of Persons with Disabilities
International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities “I will call on the Government to ratify the International Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (ICRPD)” We need Government policies for people with disabilities based on ICRPD standards and the implementation of changes to service delivery and monitoring arrangements for people with disabilities. The […]
Read MoreAgeing in the community with Intellectual Disability
I will call on the government to ensure community readiness for people with intellectual disability moving to and living in the community. Community readiness requires the removal of environmental, social, cultural and physical barriers that exclude people with ID from being full and inclusive members of society. Moving people with ID from large institutional settings […]
Read MoreUnnecessary Lifelong Disability
“I will call on the Government to invest in the development rehabilitation services and for the implementation the National Neuro-Rehabilitation Strategy” Twenty-five thousand people with neurological conditions need rehabilitation services every year. The National Policy and Strategy for the Provision of Neuro-Rehabilitation Services in Ireland (2011-2015) has not been implemented. The key priorities for the development of neuro-rehabilitation […]
Read MoreMen care too
“I will table a motion to call on the Government to amend Articles 41.2.1 and 41.2.2 to replace gender specific language with gender neutral language and incorporate a broader definition of the caring role to include men, to include dependents other than children and to include care outside the home” The gender specificity of the […]
Read MoreEqual Access to Education
Schools Equality Bill “I will table a motion to call on the Government to introduce legislation that will respect equally the rights of all children, parents and teachers from all religions and none. This Schools Equality Bill will specifically address: Patronage to ensure that children have a right to attend inclusive public schools Access to […]
Read MoreHow Trinity Alumni can save the taxpayer money
There are currently 57, 679 Trinity Graduates from 85 countries on the Seanad Electoral Register for the University of Dublin, Trinity College. The most recent register published in June 2015 contains thousands of doubtful addresses. The Seanad General Election has now been called and a ballot paper will be issued to every address on the […]
Read MoreA Secular Vision Includes Everyone
In a letter published in the Irish Times Fr Gregory O’Brien PP (28/1/16) blames homelessness, suicide and increasing violence in Ireland on society’s move away from a Christian vision based on dignity and the inviolability of the individual towards a Secular vision. He says this Secular vision is based on an individual’s unbridled freedom to do what they […]
Read MoreDon’t get Mad get Equal
The National Women’s Council of Ireland launched their ‘Breakthrough Manifesto today. The aim of the manifesto is to make the General Election 2016 a Breakthrough Election for Women. The manifesto outlines 10 priority actions and asks GE candidates, male and female to Demonstrate their commitment to gender equality by signing up to the Manifesto and […]
Read MoreHow do we stand up on Human Rights Day?
Today is Human Rights Day. We don’t have to look far for human rights violations. Ask anyone with a relative living with dementia, or intellectual disability or indeed people living with mental health issues. We violate the human rights of the most vulnerable in our society on a daily basis. We have no right to […]
Read MoreDementia Awareness Expert Consultation
Better awareness and understanding is one of the key priority actions of the National Dementia Strategy (NDS) published in December 2014. Given my own research in dementia prevention, my work raising awareness of brain health and dementia risk and my work addressing stigma I particularly welcome the priority actions around improving understanding and awareness. The HSE […]
Read MoreMarriage Equality Bill Passes Through Final Stage
It was fantastic to be in Leinster House to witness the Marriage Bill 2015 pass through its final stages in Seanad Éireann on October 22. It was simply wonderful to celebrate this historic occasion in the company of the wonderful equality warriors that I had the privilege of campaigning with in the lead up to the referendum on May 22nd […]
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