Fw: letter in today Irish Times.

-----Original Message-----
From: Dermot M.J.Hayes
Sent: Wednesday, February 13, 2013 8:15 AM
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Subject: letter in today Irish Times.

What have we to say to this letter.Or comment.???????


Sir, – The Minister for Health says the State cannot afford to widen the
eligibility for the mobility allowance for people with disabilities
(Paul Cullen, Home News, February 7th). However, there are people with
disabilities who have significant costs associated with travel and this
payment is vital to support their independent living.

Money did not solve this problem in the past, so the lack of it in the
Department of Health has nothing to do with solving the issue now.

The fact that Ireland is in a bailout programme does not weaken the
State's obligation to provide essential services to people with
disabilities. If this Government wants people to access employment
through the upcoming employment strategy, to move people out of
congregated settings back into the community and to access mainstream
services that are essential for their quality of life, this payment has
to be maintained.

The implementation of this scheme requires Government departments to
communicate with each other and to work together. The Minister needs to
realise that the National Disability Strategy, a cross-departmental
strategy which this Government has committed to implementing, is the
solution to this issue.

It is disappointing that the Department of Health and the Minister are
not thinking outside the box on an issue that will only come back to
haunt them.

The excuse of not being able to afford it is not the easy way out on
this issue, as a country we simply cannot afford not to make these
investments. – Yours, etc,

JOHN DOLAN CEO,

Disability Federation of Ireland,

Fumbally Court,

Fumbally Lane,

Dublin 8.