Campaigner welcomes Minister Maloney’s speech

Campaigner welcomes Minister Maloney’s speech

Dear editor

The Centre for Independent Living (CIL) Carmichael House launched, its
Strategic Plan (2009-2014) by Mr. John Moloney TD for Equality, Disability and Mental Health along with the DVD of Strasbourg Freedom Drive (2007) in the Park Inn Hotel on Saturday 31st January 2009. Proinsias De Rossa, MEP and Mary Lou McDonald, MEP both attended the launch and described the Strasbourg Freedom Drive campaign as the most effective lobbying campaigns targeting the EU Parliament.

Mr. Moloney stated in his opening speech that he would like to “reassure people with disabilities that their services and rights will not be hit even though we are facing very difficult times” He confirmed that he specifically would not be using the line of economic downturn in relation to disability sector. This was warmly welcomed by Disability Campaigner Tom Chambers Newport Co Mayo.

Chairperson of CIL. Michael McCabe highlighted the concerns of disabled people in relation to the cutbacks. “The disability sector in Ireland in the last number of years made some progress and the quality of services provided improved significantly. This must be protected despite the worsening economic climate” He also said that he was pleased that Ireland has signed the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities and hoped that its ratification and implementation will be supported by all parties.

The Minister invited CIL Carmichael House to put Direct Payments on the agenda for the quarterly meetings he committed to direct payments are cash paid to individuals to enable them to employ, either directly or indirectly, individuals to assist them with their everyday tasks. This system proved to be a very efficient way of Personal Assistance (PA) service delivery in the UK and Sweden. Ireland still does not have legislation on this. Minister Moloney said that he is fully supporting the area of Direct Payments and recognizes that several savings can be made by implication of this.

“Politicians are not experts on disability, people with disabilities are,” said Ms. McDonald. “So continue planning, strategizing and raising voices at your campaigns.”
“In the current economic climate we are all going to take a hit one way or the other,” said Mr. De Rossa. “However people with disabilities should not be expected to pay the price.”


Finally, Mr. Chambers informed MEPs that attended the launch of the 2009 Strategic plan that the Strasbourg Freedom Drive 2009 which will be coordinated by Ireland supported from Germany the date is set for the week of 9th September. He also will be making contact with his local MEPs.


Yours truly,

Tom Chambers
Disability Campaigner
The Billy Ranch
Newport
Co Mayo