Donie Cassidy (Westmeath, Fianna Fail)

My contribution is in response to a submission made to me last week by the Disability Federation of Ireland on the national disability strategy. The federation welcomed the Government's recent announcement of an €894 million multiannual funding package which, it stated, "will go some of the way in addressing the historic under-funding of services and supports for people with disabilities." I assured the federation that I would raise its genuine concerns about the Disability Bill during this debate.

As a Government Deputy, I fully support the thrust of the legislation, for which the Government parties seek the support of the House. As a constituency Deputy, however, I must plead the concerns of my constituents and, as the only Deputy for County Westmeath, I have given my word to raise a series of concerns this evening.

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