Disabled people call for changes to E900m spending plan

Mary Dundon, Political Reporter

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is organising workshops throughout the country which offer people with disabilities an opportunity to meet the six top civil servants responsible for the delivery of disability services.

The officials met with disabled people in Cork yesterday to hear what improvements they want in the current draft spending plans for the six departments Health, Social and Family Affairs, Transport, Environment, Enterprise, Trade and Employment and Communications, Marine and Natural Resources.

Taoiseach Bertie Ahern announced the five-year spending programme last September but it will not kick in until next year when the controversial Disability Bill has been passed.

"This gives people with disabilities a chance to eyeball the officials who will be delivering these services and ensure the money ends up at their doors to provide the services they require," National Disability Authority chairwoman Angela Kerins said.

But there is no legal guarantee in the Disability Bill that the 900m will be ring-fenced for the disabled in the six Government departments where the money is to be spent.

The NDA is lobbying the Government to amend the bill to ensure the money is given statutory protection.

"We want to make sure the money is protected for the disabled to maximise the use of those resources," Ms Kerins said.

Ms Kerins is also chairperson of the Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG) the umbrella body which represents the major disability groups.

The DLCG will meet with Mr Ahern next week to seek a number of amendments to the Disability Bill, including a statutory ring-fencing of the 900m budget. The Government has so far refused this request. Mr Ahern has insisted it is "dedicated" money, but the DLCG wants this enshrined in law.

Among amendments they will be seeking are:

The right to an independent assessment of needs that is not dependent on available resources.

A time frame on when the services will be delivered following the assessment.

A legal obligation on public services to provide for people with disabilities.