Watch: Protestors say disabled people 'feel used' by politicians

Cara Darmody at the demonstration by the Disability Coalition outside Leinster House today. She is sleeping outside the Dáil for 50 hours — despite Storm Bran — to highlight delays in getting assessment of need for children with disabilities. Photo: Gareth Chaney

People with disabilities were at the top of the political agenda during the general election, but now they feel used and forgotten — with some hard-up parents going without food so their children can eat, a Dáil protest has heard.

Protesters travelled from West Cork and other areas calling for emergency winter payments and a permanent cost of disability payment. Parents are going without food so children can eat, while adults risk their health by not buying vital equipment, speakers said.