Billy Kelleher (Cork North Central, Fianna Fail)

We all advocate choice but the choices made by this Government are shattering front line services through the reductions in the funding available. No matter how the Minister of State goes about it, there will be a major decrease in front line service supports this year. The access funding and training bonus funding for the Department of Education and Skills have been slashed. We are waiting for the review of the cuts announced in the context of the disability allowance and domiciliary care allowance. When will the decisions be made?

We all accept that many people live in vulnerable and challenging times. We have put in place the best supports we think are possible with the resources made available but choices must be made about where to draw the line. Unfortunately, on this occasion, the Government has wielded the axe in a blunt and arbitrary manner, affecting those who most need supports and services. At the same time, in other parts of the budget, the exact opposite has been done.

I am not saying the Minister of State is personally responsible but at some stage the Cabinet must stand up to its obligations to ensure those with intellectual and physical disabilities have a right and entitlement to express themselves as fully as they can in society and that they get the support of the State. Service providers and those who support them in a voluntary capacity do not have the resources to do this, coupled with the fact they will have to make incremental payment increases this year, meaning it is more than 2%. It could be 5% or 6% and if that is the case, there will be a fundamental problem whereby those with intellectual disabilities will be left behind.

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