Government 'knows what needs to be done' to tackle crisis in disability services, advocate says

Jessica Keegan, far left, and other service users and staff at Enable Ireland's centre in Limerick. Picture: Brendan Gleeson

Plans for tackling the crisis in disability care already exist and the new government must take swift action on the “clear pathways” they set out, Enable Ireland chief executive John O’ Sullivan has said.

An Action Plan for Disability Service 2024-2026, published in December last year, estimated about 80,000 people live with disabilities “to a great extent” in Ireland.

That is equivalent to a near capacity crowd at Croke Park, including those who use the Enable Ireland services.

That plan, if fully implemented, will see capital investment to build more centres of all kinds. It also outlines the need to fund tools such as digital and assistive technologies.

Mr O’Sullivan said another key document was the Disability Capacity Review to 2032, also already published.

“It’s all in there. So from my point of view the Government has commissioned the work, they know what needs to be done,” he said.

The out-going minister of state for disabilities Anne Rabbitte was “moving towards” addressing many deficits, he added.

“Between those two pieces of work, there is a clear pathway on what needs to be done,” he said.

“From a strategic point of view, the Government needs to deliver on the capacity review and deliver on the action plan. That would go a long way towards making life better for people.” 

When asked what might make his wish list for 2025, he said: “Multi-annual funding would be on the list every year,” he said.

This would allow the sector as a whole to plan developments in a more structured manner.

He would also like to see more cross-departmental co-operation on disability.

“For some people it’s about getting transport, for others it’s about access to different things,” he said.

“That’s the greatest thing we try to do is bend the environment to suit people with disabilities, not bend their lives to suit the environment.” 

Adults living with disabilities in Limerick expressed frustrations at issues from footpaths to shortages of residential centres.

Jessica Keegan, 33, called for the next minister for disabilities to fund “good, shared housing like they have for people with intellectual disabilities”. 

Living with cerebral palsy since birth, she described how her former living situation increased her challenges as it was not designed for her.

“To me, independence shouldn’t mean loneliness," she said of an apartment where she lived alone.