Disability groups plead for emergency funding to avert crisis for members

By Caroline O'Doherty

They asked for €35m to make up for shortfalls in this year's funding for people with intellectual disabilities and safeguard residential, respite and educational places.

Less than a fortnight to the start of the Special Olympics, they warned Taoiseach Bertie Ahern he would be a hypocrite if he tried to take a share of the international limelight at the event while failing to provide basic services at home.