Disability body demands more funds from McCreevy

DISABILITY campaigners yesterday called on Finance Minister Charlie McCreevy to devote half of what he will spend on the special savings scheme to the country’s thousands of mentally-handicapped people.

Deirdre Carroll, general secretary of the National Association of the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland, said this funding would help provide services for people ignored by the State.

"We're not willing to go the back of the queue," Ms Carroll said.

"People with intellectual disabilities don't have special savings accounts nor offshore accounts. They, their families and groups that provide services, have campaigned for years to get a fair share of the fruits of economic growth," she said.

NAMHI yesterday said its members were alarmed at reports that Minister

McCreevy wanted a cut of 50 million on services in non-pay areas of health.

Ms Carroll said the Government was presiding over a "human rights scandal" when at least 500 intellectually-disabled people were forced to reside in inappropriate psychiatric hospitals without basic services.

She called on the minister to increase its investment in residential services and fulfil its promise to end waiting lists for vital services.

The association is demanding an increase in last year's allocation for the creation of at least 400 residential places, 400 day places and 200 respite care places.

It also wants:

* immediate establishment of an Independent Social Services Inspectorate for intellectual disability services

* a non-means-tested carers' allowance, and an extra 75% of the allowance for those caring for a second person

* an increase in the disability allowance and eligibility for all disabled

* a respite care grant to be increased to at least 750 and made payable in respect of all persons being cared for Ms Carroll said there was a groundswell of support in the community for people with intellectual disabilities.

"Next year, Ireland intends to attract the attention of the entire world when we host the Special Olympics," she said.

"We wish the games well, but it would be a scandal if they were to take place against a background of continuing or even growing neglect of fundamental needs."

Official figures show hundreds of mentally handicapped people have no services:

462 people with no services whatsoever.

1,700 people without a full-time residential service. 861 without a day service.

1,014 without any respite service.

Source: Intellectual Disability Database 2000