Funding cuts hurt disabled people

FUNDING cutbacks targeted at citizens heretofore entitled to the special protection and care of the State are a sad reflection on our Government’s social inclusion policy and they also make a mockery of equality/disability legislation.

People with disabilities rightly received specific mention in the Equal Status Act to protect their rights as equal citizens.

The Disability Act, heralded as ‘rights-based’ and the holy grail for people with disabilities as far as the Government was concerned, undertook to uphold the right of such people to participate fully in Irish society.