RE: Center for Independent Living Pre-Budget Submission 2009-10

Dear Dara,

The Center for Independent Living (CIL) is a grassroots organization whose main aim is to empower and enable people with disabilities to achieve Independent Living (IL) as a basic human right. Since its inception in 1992 twenty-three CILs have been established nationwide with my local CIL based in Church Street Castlebar.

As you are aware the McCarthy Report of An Board Snip Nua has been recently published. The report’s recommendations that billions of Euros be slashed from public expenditure are extremely worrying for CILs. Of primary concern are the proposals concerning cuts in the area of funding for voluntary disability organizations, funding for special needs assistants, and an overall cut of up to 5% in disability benefit. If the proposed recommendations are implemented major difficulties lie ahead for people with disabilities in Ireland.

CIL has met to discuss the current recessionary pressures and has produced a Pre-Budget Submission which calls on the Government to safeguard the people most susceptible to further income and service cuts. In advance of the forthcoming Budget 2009 we particularly highlight the impact of:

· Cuts in social welfare payments.

· Eligibility for social welfare payments and their affect on the Community Employment (CE) scheme and already spiralling Personal Assistant Service (PAS) waiting lists.

· Reductions in grant-aid.

· Proposed cuts in funding to voluntary organisations.

· The movement of the Office of Mental Health and Disability from the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform into the Department of Health.

I understand that difficult decisions will have to be made over the coming months. However I believe that there are savings to be made in the disability sector and means to improve what has historically been a deficient area for the Irish Government without additional outlay. The cost savings of PAS in comparison to rehabilitation services cannot be overlooked. In addition the provision of a Direct Payment (DP) to people with disabilities would open up competition and offer people options, independence and empowerment.

In conclusion we request that cuts to services, social welfare and any tax changes are made without further burdening those people who never experienced the benefit of our so-called tiger economy.

Looking forward to a reply

Yours sincerely,

Thomas Chambers

Disability Campaigner

“The Billy Ranch”

Knocknageeha

Newport

Co. Mayo