Re: National Disability Strategy

Re: National Disability Strategy
And the €850,000 allocated to Mayo Co. Council for 2006
It is a pity that the spending of this money is not more transparent. The county council and town councils get funding for disability issues but this money gets eaten up in improvements with elements of improving access but in many cases it is very hard to see, exactly, where the money has been spent. I would prefer to see this money ring fenced specifically for disability improvements.
Some disability access projects are transparent like the €20,000 allocation to Westport Leisure Park. This money will go towards a new lift for the pool, make the gym equipment accessible and hopefully correcting issues with the Accessible toilet.
I would propose that this year and in the years to come that the councils would publish a list of exactly where there allocated funding as been spent as this would make the issue very transparent and easy to see where money is being spent and more importantly where it is not. This would make it easier for all to see what areas need money and work. After all, it is taxpayer’s money that is used.
I would also like to welcome the application by An Post to insert a ramp to the front of the Westport Post office so that a wheelchair user can gain access just like an able-bodied person. This is a positive step and will greatly increase the access to this very important public building.
I wouldn’t like to give the impression that the councils are not doing valuable work in increasing access in Mayo, I would like it to be transparent and done in consultation with all parties, but I would also like to compliment all the local authorities in the county on their work in this area.
There is a serious concern that more than €17m in grants for people with disabilities was not disbursed in 2004. People are concerned that a similar situation must not happen again. It is simply not acceptable that such money would not be disbursed to address the needs of people with disabilities in having their homes adapted so that they can continue to live independently within their community.
Local authorities were advised by the Minister for the Environment in August of 2005 to review expenditure under this grant scheme in order to facilitate the re-allocation of funding to other local authorities to meet identified demands.
While we welcome this development, we are concerned of the needs to have the review of this grant scheme finalised and to take account of the need for standardisation in the assessment and allocation of funds. The Government needs to address the needs of vulnerable groups within the disability sector who cannot afford to meet the shortfall under the current grant allocation.
With kind regards,
Tom Chambers,
Disability Campaigner.