Government under fire over reform of disability services

THE Government today faces mounting criticism over its failure to reform disability services, as campaigners converge on Leinster House in protest at government cuts in the sector.

In a bid to embarrass the Government in the lead-up to the Special Olympics, opposition leaders are expected to grill the Taoiseach on disability rights in the Dáil, while a Fine Gael private members motion to be debated today and tomorrow will condemn the Government for its neglect of the mental health sector.

Meanwhile the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland (NAMHI) will simultaneously lead a day of protest highlighting the delay in the forthcoming Disability Bill.