Disability group demands €500m in Budget

THE Disability Federation of Ireland has demanded €500 million from the Government in the next Budget.

In its pre-budget submission the organisation yesterday said vital funding is needed immediately across a number of key areas.

The Government was called on to deliver its commitment to Towards 2016 and the National Disability Strategy by increasing social welfare payments, introducing measures to improve living conditions for the disabled and targeting the role of young carers.

“We have had the commitment now we must have delivery,” DFI chief executive John Dolan said.

“In ‘Towards 2016’ the Government set out a 10-year strategy for developments in the sector. This is an outstanding visionary document — but now the time has come to put finances in place to begin to deliver on this vision.”

Mr Dolan said the 2007 budget is the first opportunity for Government to demonstrate its commitment to people with disability in real financial terms following the Social Partnership Agreement.

The federation is expecting a positive response on December 6.

“Historically this sector has been neglected,” added Mr Dolan. “Once again this year we are putting forward issues that have been in our submission for several years. We need a positive signal at this time, which shows this Government’s resolve in implementing the National Disability Strategy”.

Among its demands, the organisation called on the Government to:

* Introduce a Cost of Disability Payment Allowance of €40 per week for people in receipt of means tested social welfare payment.

* Increase Disability Allowance by €20 per week to €185.

* Allocate €90m in the provision of accommodation for people who experience mental illness.

* Allocate €75m to address the residential and day-to-day support needs of adults with significant disability residing in inappropriate accommodation.

* Invest an additional €20m in reducing the caring role of children for people with disabilities.