Maureen O'Sullivan (Dublin Central, Independent) | Oireachtas source

My question today on Leaders' Questions was about values and the values underpinning our economic policies. I made the point that there is a lack of a social policy component to economic policy. Also missing from economic policy are principles of social justice and human sympathy. All of that is creating unacceptable levels of economic inequality and that applies to people with disabilities.

Research from the Centre for Economic and Social Rights shows that poorly managed recession followed by a series of austerity budgets with a lack of social participation and a reliance on regressive cuts to spending over progressive tax reforms undermines basic rights. The people most affected are women, children, the elderly and people with a disability.

I acknowledge Deputy Finian McGrath's lifetime commitment to, and his voice for, people with a disability. I noticed he called for a senior Minister with a dedicated responsibility for disability. Some weeks ago I made a similar request to the Taoiseach, that is, for a dedicated Minister for alcohol or drugs issues or at least a Minister of State whose sole remit would be alcohol and drugs issues. I went through the list of Ministers of State today and I am sure there are reasons for each of those jobs but I wondered where was the Minister of State dedicated to vulnerable communities and vulnerable groups, notwithstanding the Minister of State, Deputy Kathleen Lynch's work, especially in regard to mental health.

When the eight topics were chosen for the Constitutional Convention, myself and others were disappointed that human rights were not included, in particular rights for people with mental and physical disabilities. We know the difficulties those people face and the difficulties faced by those who love and care for them. We are looking for a commitment to equality for those people and that there are no additional stresses on them. Instead of that we have seen the stresses on them over the past few years, whether around home help, personal assistance provision, community care, respite care, special needs assistance or resource hours. We know of the number of parents who have had to go to court to get basic rights for their children, whether for education, health or care. When one thinks about the money spent in court, it could have gone to much better use.

Last week, 26 organisations supporting people with disabilities had their funding cut with a total loss of €1.2 million, which is not a huge amount when one considers the work they do and the people they reach. I know of the work of the Irish Deaf Society and I tabled a Topical Issue on its cut. I know of the silent world of the deaf community and the need for a voice. I know of the work of the Post Polio Support Group which was totally left behind when so many other groups were looked after. The Centre for Independent Living had funding cut as did the Alzheimer's Society of Ireland. This affects a small number of people but one must ask what sort of message that sends to those people with disabilities.

The Government's amendment reads,"it is committed to facilitating the full inclusion of people with disabilities in the life of the community". However, those organisations which facilitate this have had their funding cut. One group I know well is the Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association, IMNDA, because of my friendship with someone who battled motor neurone disease for several years, as well as two Members I knew. I have taken part in several fund-raising events and even gone down the catwalk at a fashion show. While we are raising funds for this organisation, however, the Government has taken funding from it. It is completely illogical. Eleven neurological organisations had their applications for funding turned down. If there were issues with these organisations, surely they could have been brought to their attention before it reached the stage where funding was cut, services were undermined and some people lost their jobs.

One third of people with a disability have emotional, psychological and mental health conditions. Up to 87% of those with mental health conditions have at least one other disability, which highlights the need for integrated services. There is also a need for integrated services for those with a mental health issue who have an addiction and are homeless, a point I have made before. There are several agencies dealing with each aspect instead of just one dealing with all of them. Another group includes those released from prison who have a mental health condition but who still have an addiction or are coping with recovery who find themselves homeless. A small amount spent at an early stage would prevent further spending at a later stage.

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