Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)

I thank the Taoiseach for his response to the issue. It amazes me that there is always extra money for political advisers yet we see cuts in respect of special needs advisers, SNAs. Is he aware that a total of 2,461 independent assessment of need reports have been completed for children under five by the HSE up to 2011, and yet 751 are currently overdue, implying that 31% have not been completed within the prescribed time limits? A total of 13% more visually impaired people have accessed services that have recently been cut by 7%. Where is the fairness in that?

Will the Taoiseach halt the reduction in income supports for people with disabilities dependent on benefits? Will he maintain funding for the services needed by people with disabilities? An important issue for the Disability Federation of Ireland is whether he will publish and implement the national disability strategy and incorporate it into budget decision-making by all Departments and public agencies?

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