FG supports protest against disabilities cutbacks

Fine Gael has expressed its support for a protest against Government cutbacks on funding for people with intellectual disabilities.

An alliance of support groups has organised a demonstration outside the Mansion House in Dublin today to highlight the issue.

The protest will coincide with the launch of the European Year for People with Disabilities by Taoiseach Bertie Ahern.

Fine Gael's Olivia Mitchell said the lack of facilities available to mentally disabled people is creating a crisis.

"There are no additional residential places, no respite places, no day-care places and if I were to highlight one aspect of it, it means that every disabled, mentally handicapped child coming out of education this summer will not have a day-care place," she said.