We won’t picket Special Olympics

I WANT to clear up any misunderstanding which may have arisen from a press conference held last week

This was held to highlight the €6.1m shortfall in Government funding for 2003 and the over 900 shortage of staff catering for those with physical and sensory disabilities.

Contrary to the impression which may have been given in reports of the conference, our organisation does not plan to picket or organise “stunts” at the 2003 Special Olympics World Games.

We regard the 2003 Special Olympics World Games as a very positive event which can only help create awareness of the needs of those with a disability. The Games have our full support.

Members of the NFPBA are the Irish Wheelchair Association, the National Council for the Blind of Ireland, the National Association for Deaf People, the Central Remedial Clinic, Enable Ireland, the National Training and Development Institute, the Cheshire Foundation in Ireland, RehabCare and Gandon Enterprises.

Frank Flannery,

Chairman, Not for Profit Business Association,

c/o Rehab Group,

Beach Road,

Sandymount,

Dublin 4.