Suspension of changes to Disability Allowance creates opportunity for real and meaningful debate & consultation

Posted December 8th, 2011 in Disability, Finance, Special Needs

Fine Gael TD for Wicklow, Simon Harris, has welcomed the decision by An Taoiseach to postpone the changes to the Disability Allowance in Budget 2012.

“I welcome the decision to postpone the changes to the Disability Allowance in Budget 2012, and I hope that the media and political focus this matter has received over the last 24 hours will bring the issue of disability in this country into focus.

“I hope the spotlight will now focus on the issues surrounding disability as there are many real challenges that people in this country with disabilities face across a range of areas, including access to the workforce. During the years of the Celtic Tiger so many issues around disability were ignored or sidelined. Now, as we work to rebuild our country, we must ensure this is never again the case.

“The time space now created by today’s decision must be used to have a meaningful debate and engagement on disability issues in this country. The Programme for Government makes a range of commitments on the issue of disability including publishing a new National Disability Strategy, as well as the creation of personal budgets for services relating to disability.

“Lessons must be learnt by us all based on the last 48 hours or so. Many people with disabilities face a huge struggle to go about their daily lives. The discussion on issues around disability must go well beyond a narrow debate simply confined to one or two social welfare payments. There is a huge body of work to do and I look forward to doing my utmost to progress work in this area.