Disability strategy - Jobs plan must have solid targets

GOVERNMENT plans to get 7,000 people with disabilities working in mainstream employment over the next five years will receive a cautious welcome from many of those sceptical about political promises that fail to materialise.

Few sections of Irish society have had to fight so hard for their rights as those with disabilities. Understandably, the State’s niggardly response to their plight has sparked widespread cynicism.

Wheeling out the Coalition’s latest strategy at a high-powered PR launch yesterday, Taoiseach Bertie Ahern described it as a “detailed roadmap” of the improvements that will be made in the coming years. Framed in consultation with the National Disability Authority and some 500 representative groups, the package will be submitted to the Oireachtas.