Most vulnerable paying the price for bank debts, EU is told

By Ann Cahill, Europe Correspondent

Friday, February 10, 2012

"Going back into the dark."

"Becoming a prisoner in my home again."

"Myself and my wife giving up work."

This is the reality of what budget cuts mean for people with disabilities in Ireland.

The picture is much the same across the EU where people who achieved a measure of freedom thanks to special assistants have been forced back into their homes, unable to work, unable to shop, unable to get out.

Michael McCabe, founder of the Centre for Independent Living, told a European Parliament hearing Ireland was paying back the banks at the expense of the poorest in society.

"The most vulnerable are paying the price, being singled out in stark contrast to the European disability plan to eliminate discrimination on the grounds of disability. Right now, many of us feel like we are being robbed of rights and freedoms."

Across Europe, fewer than one third of disabled people have had jobs and fewer than one in 10 go to university — half the percentage for the rest of the population.

"On Friday of the August bank holiday, when many decision makers were heading off, our members received letters telling them that their personal assistants hours were being cut — at the stroke of a pen, many are to be confined to their homes," said Mr McCabe.

Funding for the scheme has been cut by 66%, on top of the 11% cut to core groups over the past two years.

At a December meeting with ministers and officials, they promised to make up the shortfall, but the cuts went ahead, affecting the community schemes and assistance hours.

Mr McCabe told the room full of MEPs and representatives of disabled groups from across the EU how these cuts are affecting real lives.

Sharon from Offaly, who is registered as blind, told of the new life opened up to her because of the help she gets from a personal assistant.

"It enables me to work full time and get on with my life — I feel I’m playing a role in society, paying my taxes. What’s happening now makes no sense."

Jim from Sligo said that with his personal assistant he can get out of the house. Without this help, he is confined inside. "The reality is I need this help for all essentials such as shopping and cooking and keeping the house in order. I would have to go into a home without it."

Thomas from Clare said he lived in a very dark world, but his personal assistant services helps take me into the light. But the seven-and-a-half hours of help has been cut by two-and-a-half hours.

"No consultation — even though my disability has not changed. I am a prisoner in my own home." He appealed the decision, but lost.

Tom said the bad days were the ones without a personal assistance. Suffering from cystic fibrosis, he was awarded help for 32 hours a week but gets only 10-and-a-half, divided into three days — "but I have cystic fibrosis for all seven days".

"It’s very simple, the personal assistant service costs less than the alternative," he said.

The alternative is having to give up work, and his wife having to give up her job to look after him. "It doesn’t make sense."

Socialist MEP Paul Murphy, who was one of those hosting the hearing, said that incidence of poverty for people with disabilities was 70% higher than average.

"Today’s austerity policies mean that the clock is being turned backwards — all social gains are in danger. There is an urgent need for a European wide united fight back of all layers in society that are bearing the brunt of this social onslaught," he said.

This appeared in the printed version of the Irish Examiner Friday, February 10, 2012