Disabled people may inflict greatest cut of all

THE administration of disability services within the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform has actively promoted the concept of independent living for people with disabilities and has delivered the necessary services on a rights-based principle.

Service providers are happy and service users are relatively happy, but then along comes An Bord Snip.

It proposes to give control of policy and delivery of services to disabled people back to the Department of Health. Does An Bord Snip not realise that disability does not necessarily equate to sickness?

Is An Bord Snip not aware that disability is a core element of the equality remit of the Department of Justice? Does An Bord Snip have any comprehension of the implications for disabled people if its recommended reduction of €50 million in grants is slashed from the disability budget?

An Bord Snip and the Government would do well to heed the words of wisdom of a well-known rogue miser or face the collective and organised voting power of disabled people who have a potential to inflict the greatest cut of all as far as they are concerned: “I’m reviewing the situation... but I think I’d better think it out again”.

Donie O’Leary

Chairman

Cork Network People with Disabilities (PwDI)

Penrose Quay

Cork