CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
Parish Centre,
Chapel Street,
Castlebar,
Co Mayo.
Phone 094 903498
FAX 094 9044974
E-mail:


Press Release 21st May 2007

Mayo Centre for independent Living hosted a breakfast meeting at the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre Castlebar for the Mayo General Election Candidates 2007. The meeting was attended by 4 of the outgoing TD’s for Mayo Enda Kenny TD and Leader of Fine Gael, Michael Ring TD (Fine Gael), and the two Independent TD’s, Dr. Jerry Cowley TD, and Beverley Flynn TD, also in attendance were candidates Cllrs. Frank Chambers (Fianna Fail), Gerry Murray (Sinn Fein), and Cllr. Michelle Mulherrin (Fine Gael).
Apologies were received from John Carty TD (Fianna Fail, Harry Barrett (Labour) and John O’Mahoney (Fine Gael).
There were a large number of People in attendance, representing the Mayo CIL Leader Group, together with some of their family members, some Mayo CIL staff, Representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland, from Enable Ireland, from the PWDI, from the Irish Wheelchair Association, the National Learning Network and the HSE.
Deirdre Fahey (Chairperson of Mayo CIL) chaired the Meeting.
The 10 Key Points of the Agenda were outlined to the meeting by Patrick Lillis (Programme Manager Mayo CIL)
The 10 Key Points
Mainstreaming of Health related Community Employment schemes.
1) Waiting lists for P.A. Services to be resolved.
2) A cost of Disability Payment to be put in place, with a minimum payment of €40 per week.
3) Greater availability of Community Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Services.
4) Disabled persons housing grant scheme to be more streamlined and easier to access. To include more flexibility with regard to income thresholds.
5) The Building accesses certificate to be enforced at building completion.
When will the promised new M Document be implemented as agreed in the Disability Act 2006?
6) Benefit traps for people with disabilities to be resolved.
7) Accessible train carriages to be brought on line.
8) Full and speedy Implementation of the National Disability Strategy.
9) Cut- backs in Hospital accessible Transport Services to be reversed.
First to speak was Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD, in a full and detailed statement; he outlined the clear commitment of his party to providing a cost of disability payment, the full and speedy implementation of the National Disability Strategy. Enda committed that a Government led by him would have a specific Minister and office with responsibility for Disability issues. Furthermore he stated that should he be given the privilege, that his the (Taoiseach’s) door would be open at all times, to consult on disability related issues.
Next to speak was Beverley Flynn TD, she outlined progress which she felt had already been made on several of the key points above. Beverley looked forward to the possibility of being in the balance of power in a new regime post election, and committed to her further support for the key points raised. Beverley said that People with disabilities should not have to wait a further year or two for accessible trains.
Michael Ring TD reiterated his Leaders comments and added that he would continue his support to people with disabilities, to continue his work on Disability issues in general. Michael felt that there was now a golden opportunity for Co.Mayo to have both a Taoiseach and Tanaiste from the County. He said, the measures outlined in Enda Kenny’s speech would lead to tremendous tangible benefits flowing to People with disabilities throughout Ireland.
Dr. Jerry Cowley TD (Independent) also looked forward to the possibility that Independents would play a pivotal role in the next Government. Dr. Cowley gave full support to the quick implementation of the NDS, he said he felt that the imposition of a cost of disability payment should be a priority for any new Government, and that action was required on all the key point s raised on the agenda. Gerry also raised his support for carers, highlighting a project that he is promoting through funding from Enhancing Disability Services. Dr. Cowley said that this service is available to anyone.
Cllr. Frank Chambers(Fianna Fail) was next to speak, outlining several issues that he felt had been advanced by the outgoing Government, he also outlined his ongoing support for People with disabilities and Mayo CIL. Cllr. Chambers reiterated his support on access issues, he highlighted the positive changes that he felt had taken place on access issues, in Westport in particular. On this subject he acknowledged the work done on access issues by Tom Chambers, in Westport and its hinterland.
Cllr Gerry Murray (Sinn Fein) stated that amendments need to be made to the Disability Act, as he outlined it , the present Act does not ensure a Right of People to services, rather it merely entitles a person to a statement of their needs. Unfortunately the Act does not make a requirement on the State that such needs be met, citing resources as a particular get out clause. Gerry felt that without amendment the Disability Act in its present state is much too weak from the viewpoint of People with disabilities and those who support them.
Cllr. Michelle Mulherrin spoke about her support for independent living as a Rights and choice issue for People with Disability, and that she looked forward to the implementation of the NDS, under a Government headed by Enda Kenny.
There were several contributors from the floor including Michael Corbett of the DFI, Paul Burton a Leader from Mayo CIL, and Gina Eracleaus, they raised a range of issues, from the Mainstreaming of health related CE schemes, to recognition for carers, to the need for waiting lists for Personal Assistant services to dealt with immediately.
Deirdre Fahey closed the meeting thanking the participants, particularly she thanked the PWDI and Enable Ireland for their assistance in putting together the mornings event. Finally Deirdre wished all the Candidates the very best in Thursdays Election.






CENTRE FOR INDEPENDENT LIVING
Parish Centre,
Chapel Street,
Castlebar,
Co Mayo.
Phone 094 903498
FAX 094 9044974
E-mail:


Press Release 21st May 2007

Mayo Centre for independent Living hosted a breakfast meeting at the TF Royal Hotel and Theatre Castlebar for the Mayo General Election Candidates 2007. The meeting was attended by 4 of the outgoing TD’s for Mayo Enda Kenny TD and Leader of Fine Gael, Michael Ring TD (Fine Gael), and the two Independent TD’s, Dr. Jerry Cowley TD, and Beverley Flynn TD, also in attendance were candidates Cllrs. Frank Chambers (Fianna Fail), Gerry Murray (Sinn Fein), and Cllr. Michelle Mulherrin (Fine Gael).
Apologies were received from John Carty TD (Fianna Fail, Harry Barrett (Labour) and John O’Mahoney (Fine Gael).
There were a large number of People in attendance, representing the Mayo CIL Leader Group, together with some of their family members, some Mayo CIL staff, Representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland, from Enable Ireland, from the PWDI, from the Irish Wheelchair Association, the National Learning Network and the HSE.
Deirdre Fahey (Chairperson of Mayo CIL) chaired the Meeting.
The 10 Key Points of the Agenda were outlined to the meeting by Patrick Lillis (Programme Manager Mayo CIL)
The 10 Key Points
Mainstreaming of Health related Community Employment schemes.
1) Waiting lists for P.A. Services to be resolved.
2) A cost of Disability Payment to be put in place, with a minimum payment of €40 per week.
3) Greater availability of Community Physiotherapy and Occupational Therapy Services.
4) Disabled persons housing grant scheme to be more streamlined and easier to access. To include more flexibility with regard to income thresholds.
5) The Building accesses certificate to be enforced at building completion.
When will the promised new M Document be implemented as agreed in the Disability Act 2006?
6) Benefit traps for people with disabilities to be resolved.
7) Accessible train carriages to be brought on line.
8) Full and speedy Implementation of the National Disability Strategy.
9) Cut- backs in Hospital accessible Transport Services to be reversed.
First to speak was Fine Gael Leader Enda Kenny TD, in a full and detailed statement; he outlined the clear commitment of his party to providing a cost of disability payment, the full and speedy implementation of the National Disability Strategy. Enda committed that a Government led by him would have a specific Minister and office with responsibility for Disability issues. Furthermore he stated that should he be given the privilege, that his the (Taoiseach’s) door would be open at all times, to consult on disability related issues.
Next to speak was Beverley Flynn TD, she outlined progress which she felt had already been made on several of the key points above. Beverley looked forward to the possibility of being in the balance of power in a new regime post election, and committed to her further support for the key points raised. Beverley said that People with disabilities should not have to wait a further year or two for accessible trains.
Michael Ring TD reiterated his Leaders comments and added that he would continue his support to people with disabilities, to continue his work on Disability issues in general. Michael felt that there was now a golden opportunity for Co.Mayo to have both a Taoiseach and Tanaiste from the County. He said, the measures outlined in Enda Kenny’s speech would lead to tremendous tangible benefits flowing to People with disabilities throughout Ireland.
Dr. Jerry Cowley TD (Independent) also looked forward to the possibility that Independents would play a pivotal role in the next Government. Dr. Cowley gave full support to the quick implementation of the NDS, he said he felt that the imposition of a cost of disability payment should be a priority for any new Government, and that action was required on all the key point s raised on the agenda. Gerry also raised his support for carers, highlighting a project that he is promoting through funding from Enhancing Disability Services. Dr. Cowley said that this service is available to anyone.
Cllr. Frank Chambers(Fianna Fail) was next to speak, outlining several issues that he felt had been advanced by the outgoing Government, he also outlined his ongoing support for People with disabilities and Mayo CIL. Cllr. Chambers reiterated his support on access issues, he highlighted the positive changes that he felt had taken place on access issues, in Westport in particular. On this subject he acknowledged the work done on access issues by Tom Chambers, in Westport and its hinterland.
Cllr Gerry Murray (Sinn Fein) stated that amendments need to be made to the Disability Act, as he outlined it , the present Act does not ensure a Right of People to services, rather it merely entitles a person to a statement of their needs. Unfortunately the Act does not make a requirement on the State that such needs be met, citing resources as a particular get out clause. Gerry felt that without amendment the Disability Act in its present state is much too weak from the viewpoint of People with disabilities and those who support them.
Cllr. Michelle Mulherrin spoke about her support for independent living as a Rights and choice issue for People with Disability, and that she looked forward to the implementation of the NDS, under a Government headed by Enda Kenny.
There were several contributors from the floor including Michael Corbett of the DFI, Paul Burton a Leader from Mayo CIL, and Gina Eracleaus, they raised a range of issues, from the Mainstreaming of health related CE schemes, to recognition for carers, to the need for waiting lists for Personal Assistant services to dealt with immediately.
Deirdre Fahey closed the meeting thanking the participants, particularly she thanked the PWDI and Enable Ireland for their assistance in putting together the mornings event. Finally Deirdre wished all the Candidates the very best in Thursdays Election.