Carers urges Government to deliver services

FAMILIES and carers looking after more than 3,500 people with intellectual disabilities have called for Government action to provide long-awaited residential, respite and day services.

Carers have heard every excuse, said Jean Spain, president of NAMHI, the national body promoting the rights of people with intellectual disability. The estimated €40 million in dormant and offshore accounts should be used to clear waiting lists, she said, pledging to make it an election issue if the carers’ group is ignored.

“There are many reasons put forward as to why we have such long waiting lists: historic under- funding of services, empty public coffers, demographic changes. Ireland is not a poor country.