Disability groups to protest at Budget cutbacks

The Taoiseach Bertie Ahern is expected to face protests at the Mansion House in Dublin later today when he launches the European Year for People with Disabilities.

An alliance of organisations working with people with intellectual difficulties have arranged the demonstration in protest at cutbacks and a lack of funding for their activities.

The Irish Autism Alliance, the National Parents and Sibling Alliance and the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped in Ireland said the mentally disabled received no new funding in last year's Budget.