Mary Lou McDonald (Dublin Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

Yesterday, I raised with the Taoiseach the very real sense of abandonment that citizens with disabilities and their families, carers and service providers feel. I asked him to commit to ring-fencing the necessary funding to ensure that services get back up and running to capacity. The Taoiseach cited, of course, the Covid-19 protocols, which I recognise. More importantly, the services, the sector, the families and the individuals with disabilities themselves recognise that those protocols have to be abided by and respected. However, that means the money has to be committed. The winter plan is to be published and the Taoiseach needs to make a commitment now in respect of that necessary funding. The Disability Federation of Ireland states that €120 million is required. I would like the Taoiseach to put people’s minds at ease, bring clarity and commit to ring-fencing and delivering that funding.

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