However, for the families of those with disabilities, many are still awaiting the return of day services.On average, a person who spent five days a week in day services is now spending two days a week in that service.He finished his special school this year, but before that happened, a bus funded by the Department of Education stopped at his door daily and brought him to school in Carlow, 45 minutes away, collecting others on the way.
His friends are there; training for the Special Olympics is there, and ultimately, it's where he is the happiest. Linda cannot take the time out of the day to travel to Carlow with her eldest son every morning, so she put a business case to the Health Service Executive for transport for Michael, but was refused. Carer Moira Skelly who fronted the launch of Family Carer's Ireland emergency card, this week described the situation as "ridiculous".
Linda Comerford, like other parents of people with disabilities, believes their children should be part of the reopening of the country. While she appreciates him coming outside to meet her, Linda said a footpath is not a constructive place for such a discussion and is requesting a face-to-face constructive meeting with Micheál Martin.