Yet again the Government has decided that people with disabilities and Carers are to received a decrease in their limited support from the State .When the cost of living is factored in the provision of just €12 per week will push 1000s of vunerable people in poverty .Most NGOs and organisations in the disability sector had recommended €25 per week .Toays allocation of just €12 delivers a real term cut in all allowances
An Irish Government Exchequer surplus of €1.2 billion was recorded in 2023 notwithstanding this robust figure the Irish Government offered carers and people with disabilities just €12 per week pon base allowance rates.The Government had the right frinancial situation to implement a living wage for all carers and people with disabilities but failed to do so.
The 4th budget by this administratio has chosen to ignore the work of carers who save this State over €20 Billion a year and provide 24/7 care on a 365 day a year basis.
This Government offered €64m for disability services far below what this Governments own Capacity review stated was needed.
The political system has failed people with disabilities and carers -the time has arrived for this huge group to change the system and get active in politics working towards equality for all.
Next year is a key year for all of us who advocate daily for basic human rights for people with disabilities.2024 is a important year for people with disabilities who have a daily battle to receive supports and services .The European and Local Elections are to take place and the time has arrive for candidates to come forward and to run in these elections either as a independent candidate or as a candidate from a political party .
The time has indeed arrived for people with disabilities and carers and all involved in the sector to look at getting themselves involved in the political process and start to change this society for the better.
The need to organise and develop our own voice is now vital ,we have seen many so called ” Disability Stakeholder Organisations ‘ rush out statements welcoming the budget and various issues contained therein , the projected inflation rate will wipe out the €12 a week offered to people with disabilities and carers in 2024
Carers are saving the Irish State €20 Billion a year and number over 500,000 people with 650,000 people with disabilities in Ireland ,this brings the total to 1.1 million and we need to get organised and to start getting involved in the political system in whatever way you prefer , within a political party or independently .
For its part the State must start to deal with the barriers to participation in the democratic process .
A recent review presented to the Oireachtas Committee on Disability Matters pointed out some of the barriers to accessible voting for people with disabilities with disabled people facing many barriers to candidature including,
. Extra Costs of disability
. Accessibility barriers including unavailability of sign Language interpreters or PAs ,inaccessible meeting venues ,information ,transport etc
. Failure of political parties to select disabled candidates
.Lack of supports for disabled people to engage with local government .
We support the call for all political parties to undertake a cross-party pledge to promote and support the election of disabled candidates and carers with reasonable accommodation be provided for disabled electoral candidates to remove accessibility barriers .
At local Government level ,councils must support people with disabilities to participate in the democratic process so facilitate their active citizenship.
We cannot allow a repeat of the situation that happened in Budget 2024 and the discrimination that takes place in Ireland .Budget 2024 demonstrated clearly that this Government are happy to allow people with disabilities and carers struggle while Landloards and high reads prosper under their watch.
Carers and people with disabilities must get involved in the democratic system and create a strong voice that will deliver our aims and objectives .