Disability group: Govt 'must not relegate disability issues'
Government policy in relation to disability issues must prioritise supports for independent living, according to the Centre for Independent Living (CIL).
The group today launched a political awareness campaign in advance of the forthcoming general election.
According to CIL, the recession should not relegate disability issues to the bottom of the policy agenda.
CIL said: "Funding support and services for people with disabilities are a necessity and simply cannot withstand any further cuts. Greater support for independent living would ultimately enable more people with disabilities to participate in the workforce, and would therefore provide some cost benefits to the Exchequer.
Speaking at the launch of its pre-election campaign today, Michael McCabe, spokesperson for CIL, said: “We certainly recognise the very difficult financial situation facing this country, and realise that the next Government will have to make more hard choices.
“However, we want to remind politicians that people with disabilities – more than any other sector of society – are heavily reliant on the State for supports and services. Any further cuts to incomes and services would have a hugely detrimental impact on the lives of people with disabilities and their families.
"We are looking for a copper-fastened guarantee from political parties and independent candidates that disability payments – including the Disability Allowance, Blind Pension, Illness Benefit and Invalidity Pension – are not subjected to any further cuts.
To support independent living, CIL is proposing a major pilot scheme that would offer people with disabilities the capacity to employ a personal assistant through the provision of a direct payment scheme.
Legislation - setting out the scope of the direct payment scheme, the kind of assistance that could be purchased and how the assistance should be administered - would regulate the scheme.
In addition, CIL is calling on the incoming Government not to impose any further cuts on the budget of the organisation and to ensure person-centred services are protected over the coming difficult years.
