Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Independent) | Oireachtas source

I commend Deputy Finian McGrath for tabling this sensible motion to recognise the value of people with disabilities and the need for further supports for them. Like most Members, before I was elected, I knew a few people with various disabilities. In the past three years as a Deputy I have spent a lot more time with adults and children with disabilities, be they physical, intellectual or both, their families and supporters in places such as St. Catherine’s Association and Sunbeam House in County Wicklow. The biggest point I have learned is how hard it is for all of them. When meeting and helping them, the main thing I have learned is how tough it is for the families and supporters involved. It is physically, mentally and emotionally tough. It is bloody hard work and they are fighting day in, day out for dignity, a decent standard of life for their children, brothers, sisters or those whom they support. It is also financially tough. Half of those with disabilities experience income poverty. More than one third experience basic deprivation. This is just not good enough. I know that a lot of money is put into the disability sector. That we in Ireland, one of the wealthiest and most developed countries on Earth, would allow over one third of citizens with disabilities to experience deprivation is just not good enough. Since 2008, the sector has faced a 14% cut made by the Government. If one factors in inflation, in real terms it a cut of about 20%.

At the same time the number of people being supported with disabilities, because they are living longer and more disabilities are being recognised and supported, is even higher, so we are probably looking at about a 25% per person cut since 2008. That is simply not okay and the cry that there is no money is hollow because there was money for the banks, the bondholders, AIB's pension fund, to pay for the children of foreign executives to go to private schools and to give 41% tax rebates to people with very expensive pensions. There is plenty of money for things that are chosen and yet there is not enough money for men, women and children with disabilities.

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