Disability minister: No one immune from cuts

NO ONE is immune from budget cuts, the Minister of state with responsibility for disability issues warned the parents of children with autism yesterday.

But Kathleen Lynch said the Government is doing everything it can ahead of the December budget to protect those most in need.

She also revealed that a “value for money” audit on the entire disability service’s €1.05 billion budget, which is nearing completion, has revealed that 80% of the budget is spent on salaries.

“The audit has thrown up some very interesting facts,” Ms Lynch said.

“We have to find a mechanism that will allow us to spend a greater proportion of the budget directly on those with most needs.”

She was speaking at the opening of a sensory garden that has transformed the lives of children with autism at St Columba’s Boys NS in Douglas, Cork.

“The budget is going to be tough — there is no doubt about it but we are working to ensure that those with greater needs will be protected as much as possible,” Ms Lynch said.

“But no one will be immune from cuts. I think we suffered from a kind of national delusion over the last 10 years. People don’t want that anymore.

“They want the truth and they need to know what’s coming down the track so they can cut their cloth.”

The special garden, which featured in the RTÉ series Dirty Old Towns, was built for the use of boys with an Autism Spectrum Disorder (ASD), who attend St Columba’s ASD unit.

The Telly Tubby-style garden, inspired by an original design by Diarmuid Gavin, was designed by Maura Duffy.

Spokesperson for parents, Aideen Lydon, said it is a wonderful amenity.

“Children with ASDs have a range of sensory issues, and the garden provides a safe, tactile place for them to relax and to play.”