THOMAS ATTACKS GOVERNMENT ON TREATMENT OF DISABLED

Thomas Pringle TD has today attacked the government on its treatment of the disabled on the technical group motion on disability supports in the Dáil.

“It grieves me that there is even a need for this motion to be introduced – protect the disabled, stop cutting their payments, allow them to live independently, steer away from institutionalisation, give them their rights as equal citizens of this land. Is this what this has come to, has this government really stooped so low as to pinch the pockets of these vulnerable people to pay for the mistakes of the better off? Unfortunately it appears to be the case.

“First the cuts to personal assistance which took the disabled to weather the cold nights outside Leinster House in protest before that barbarous decision was reversed, then the cut to the respite care grant, and most recently, the slashing of the Mobility Allowance and motorised transport grants – what’s next?!

“A disabled constituent of mine in Donegal tells me of the dread he lives in waiting for the postman to arrive or even turning on the radio for fear of hearing of another cut that will hit him, that’s how bad it’s gotten.

“The consequences will be disastrous for disabled people in remote areas such as Donegal if the plan to ring fence the mobility payments fund for an accessible transport system goes ahead. I have had numerous constituents contact me worried sick that they will lose their Mobility Allowance and some who were about to apply but now cannot. For them, they will be housebound because public transport for those who can use it is next to non-existent in Donegal, Minister Lynch’s plan cannot fix something that isn’t there.

“People with disabilities cannot be ignored and neglected, you cannot force people to stay in their homes. Those who are legally eligible to apply should be able to do so, the department and the government have had years to resolve this and is their mess to fix, not disabled people.

“Establish a scheme that is legitimate and allows for all those who are eligible to apply for mobility payments to do so, retain the personal assistance service and provide all supports, including educational, so that they truly are equal citizens and adequately support those who are caring for them. Not only does providing the means for allowing disabled people to live independently give them quality of life, it is also a saving to the state when compared to institutionalisation.

“But so far this government has failed to protect and provide for the disabled, continuing to target them with cuts. This is outrageous decision-making, particularly when it is a Labour minister overseeing this,” stated Pringle.

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