Cuts

DISABLED PEOPLE SEE PROMISES CONSTANTLY BROKEN

 

 

 

In the final Prime Time debate before the 2011 General Election, both Eamon Gilmore and Enda Kenny stated that, if they were in government, they would prioritize people with disabilities as their number one social justice issue. Over two years later, it can be firmly argued that Government has failed to live up to this commitment.

 

In fact, Government has consistently shown a complete lack of understanding of the challenges facing people with disabilities in trying to live an ordinary life. The disability movement has been hit hard over the past number of years by the continuous chipping away of essential services and supports.

 

2012 saw one of the harshest budgets for people with disabilities, but the cuts did not end there. The decision to abolish the Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant this year dealt a further blow to people with disabilities, along with cuts to Special Deeds Assistance, respite care grants and housing adaptation grants, and the lack of day places for school-leavers with intellectual disabilities.

 

However, on top of the impact of cuts to disability – specific supports, people with disabilities are also substantially affected by cutbacks to mainstream social and health services which they need to access. This acts, unfairly, as a double hit, a major issue which Government can no longer ignore. People with disabilities and their families have had enough.

 

It is unacceptable that people with disabilities have to fight for the services and support they are entitled to. After five years of austerity, the Government now needs to act on the commitments it made, by putting plans in place to begin the restoration of these supports and working in partnership with disability and other organisations to bring about the full inclusion of people with disabilities.

 

Next year, the local and European elections will take place: this will be the chance for people with disabilities and their families to demonstrate their frustration in a very real way.