Simplistic analogies don’t work in addressing special needs cutbacks

At the end of last month, Fergus Finlay had an article published that brought over simplification and condescension to a new level.

In his article (Irish Examiner, August 25) Fergus rightly calls for greater respect for people with disabilities, greater transparency, better conditions and control over how the money the State pays to service providers is spent for the individual.

As someone who runs a service provider, I could not agree more with Fergus. However, it is too simplistic to hide behind an average figure, as Fergus does. He quotes the average cost of €112,500 to support someone with an intellectual disability. The point he misses is that for some people, the cost of living an ordinary life is well in excess of this, as they need significant support. What hotel will provide personal care on a 24-hour, 7-day-a-week requirement? What hotel will provide support to individuals who, due to their disability will from time to time, or in some cases, most of the time, demonstrate behaviours which may be challenging in both a physical and psychological way.