Fine Gael pledges to create Minister for Disability

FINE GAEL committed themselves yesterday to creating a position of Minister for Disability if they enter Government.

Enda Kenny’s party were responding to concerns that political parties have failed to include in election manifestos specific plans for the 400,000 people with disabilities in Ireland.

Reviewing policies at a launch yesterday, the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) demanded parties reveal their pledges.

“We can see no reason why parties are not dealing with the cost of disability issue, and the under-funding of voluntary disability organisations with the same clarity that they have shown on other issues, including stamp duty,” stressed DFI’s chief executive John Dolan.

Fine Gael responded pledging to introduce an office for disability issues. The new minister would coordinate the distribution of funds and oversee disability strategy among areas. He or she would also be responsible for the distribution of information on the rights of the disabled in Ireland.

Four parties yesterday also committed themselves to upping welfare payments for the disabled by introducing an extra allowance.

The proposed ‘Cost of Disability’ payment would cover extra costs such as heat and transport that many disabled people must meet. Labour, Sinn Féin and Fine Gael all pledged to initiate the additional payments if elected to government. The Green Party although were the only ones specifying an amount, of €40 a week for the ‘Cost of Disability’ payment.

DFI want elected parties to commit to the cost of living disability allowance, adequately resource volunteer groups as well as implement the National Disability Strategy.

“It is unacceptable that in 2007, with one of the most buoyant economies in the world, the sector is still so dependent on fundraising and Community Employment Schemes to provide essential health and personal social services,” added the support group’s chief executive.

Elsewhere, Sinn Féin said yesterday they would establish a Disability Ombudsman to ensure that future funding for the sector is enforced.

Meanwhile, Fianna Fáil have committed to driving the National Disability Strategy as part of a Government’s whole policy rather than from one office. This includes legislative reform and increased services for the disabled.

Its coalition partners the Progressive Democrats, while not referring to an extra cost of living payment for the disabled, also pledge to implement the strategy.