Thomas Pringle (Donegal South West, Independent)

As the trappings of power are bestowed, Members should remain aware that we are here by the grace of the people. Given that everyone should be treated with equal respect and dignity, why is this not the case for certain citizens? The Government has spouted much talk about the importance of a decent quality of life for people with disabilities. The so-called programme for Government pays lip service to a commitment to facilitate people with disabilities with a greater level of participation in society. This statement is at odds with the state of fear in which people are living. The cut of 11% in funding for the centres for independent living is affecting the provision of personal assistance and cuts to community employment schemes on which the centres rely to provide this service have affected their ability to operate.

The Government committed to paying €64 billion to bail out the banks. This sum would provide 306 million hours of personal assistance for people with disabilities and equates to financing the largest personal assistance provider in the country for more than 150 years. As I speak, we await the publication of the long overdue value for money review of disability services. It is plain to all that continuing to provide people with disabilities with a personal assistant is much more cost effective than any alternative. Many people who rely on this service already have had their allocated hours reduced, which already has limited their quality of life. Any further cuts would leave many housebound or, worse, would put them into a position in which their only option would be an institution. One can only imagine the disdain being felt by disabled persons and carers, who fear for their only route to independent living, when they learn today of tenders for silk scarves and neckties to be bought at the expense of the State. I argue that silk ties are not something with which we should be bothering. The key issue is whether the Taoiseach can guarantee there will be no further cuts to such services and that personal assistance hours will be protected as the Government devises its seismic December budget about which Members are hearing so much from Government circles.

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