Disabled people see promises constantly broken
Labour leader Eamon Gilmore replied: “I think it would be looking after people with disabilities. I think that, for example what Fianna Fáil did in cutting the blind pension, I think that was scandalous.
“The first area that Labour in government would address in terms of equality and in terms of giving decent supports to people would be the area of disabilities. I think as a country, we have to set that as a priority.”
Enda Kenny said: “That’s very laudable, I share that and I feel an absolute priority should be the 300,000 people who suffer from mental illness every year and 75,000 who attempt self-harm and a ratcheting up of a priority for the people who have the tragedy of suicide.”
Those statements were made two-and-a-half years ago. It is fair to argue that since then, the actions of the Government have not matched their words.
The cuts have been very harsh for people with disabilities for a number of years, but 2012 was one of the hardest: Key government budget plans in health failed to materialise; deficits mounted; and the Department of Health named cuts to services for people with disabilities.
Meanwhile, funds dedicated to mental health and other disability services were shifted to reduce the ballooning deficit incurred in other parts of the health system.
But the cuts have continued, with the scrapping of the mobility allowance and the motorised transport grant. Some other areas that have been affected include:
* Funding for an access programme for students with disabilities was cut by 20% in universities in 2012. This fund is not available to part-time students or students in further education;
* The number of special needs assistants was capped in 2011;
* The housing adaptation grant schemes have been cut by 42% since 2010, and in some areas, will not be paid for the rest of this year;
* There is a waiting list for personal assistance hours;
* Respite care grant was cut by 19% in 2013.
On top of this, people with disabilities have been impacted by cuts to mainstream social and health services which they need to access. Most people with disabilities live with their families, and are also affected by recession. This is an unfair double hit. Cuts to child benefit payments and to the fuel allowance scheme, the property tax, and water charges will all affect people with disabilities and their families, in addition to any cuts to disability specific supports.
The double hit is a major issue, which cannot be ignored. The number of people with disabilities is increasing, and people with disabilities, along with the rest of the population, are living longer; their needs are changing and potentially becoming more complex.
Mr Kenny and Mr Gilmore stated at the end of the election campaign that disability and mental health was their number one social justice priority, and people trusted their word. When this is considered alongside the ongoing cuts over the past few years, it becomes very difficult to believe them, and damages the reputation of this Government.
This is especially true when the majority of cuts are to areas that make community living possible for people with disabilities, which goes directly against the Government’s own policy direction. Cuts to personal assistance and the decision to abolish the mobility allowance and motorised transport grant, along with the major cut to the housing adaptation grant scheme, are all targeting practical supports that keep people in the community where they can maximise their autonomy.
People with disabilities and their families no longer have confidence in this Government to fulfil their pre-election pledge to support people with disabilities. They feel that they are more and more being left to their own devices. While there is an awareness that things are going to continue to be difficult, there is no sense of hope that the Government has the ambition or the capacity to protect this element of society.
There will be a major deficit in terms of supports and services for people with disabilities after the recession, meaning that people and their families will have to struggle to get the supports they need.
There are alternatives:
Firstly, fewer cuts to services and increased taxation. In our view, there is wealth out there that is not being taxed with the same determination that is being brought to cutting services and incomes.
Secondly, the Government needs to prioritise disability. Disability and long-term illness is a serious risk for everybody and every family. Government underwriting of this area builds necessary confidence in people that they will be able to participate both economically and socially.
Thirdly, the Government should appoint a senior minister for disability inclusion to oversee the recently published implementation plan for the national disability strategy.
Finally, the Government needs to start planning for the restoration of supports, including accessible social and public services, along with truly working in partnership with disability organisations.
The Government has the option to take action or allow matters to get worse. It is not sustainable to have further reductions to these supports, which degrades the existing social infrastructure.
Next year, local and European elections will take place, and this will be the time when the Government’s ambition to protect and support people with disabilities will be seen. It is also the time when people with disabilities and their families can demonstrate their frustration in a very obvious way.
