Joanne: Cut to respite care grant a betrayal

A girl who was born without limbs has told of her disappointment that Taoiseach Enda Kenny has failed to keep his promise to her not to take money from the disabled.

Joanne O’Riordan, 16, shot to public prominence just before the general election in February last year, when the then leader of the opposition assured her in person he would protect disability payments once in power.

However, Joanne, from Millstreet, Co Cork, said she now feels betrayed over the announcement in the budget to introduce a 19%, or €325, cut in the yearly respite care grant.