Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

There has been a devastating sidelining of disabled people in budget 2024. These are not my words but those of the chief executive of one of the largest disability groups in the country, Mr. John Dolan. He went on to say that it is devastating to see the sidelining of disability and a tokenistic attitude to disabled people in budget 2024. He argued that the measures introduced do not come close to meeting the needs of people with disabilities. It is not exactly a resounding endorsement of the disability measures presented by the Ministers here today.

Based on the disability capacity review, disability services need at least €80 million to €90 million in additional resources every year to take account of demographic change and unmet need. Yet, according to the Government's own expenditure report, a sum of €64.1 million is being provided, comprising €55.6 million for the disability action plan and €8.5 million for the progressing disability services roadmap. Once again, disability services and disabled people are losing out, but not to worry because landlords are getting tax breaks.

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