Marc MacSharry (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I propose an amendment to the Order of Business, namely, that the Minister of State at the Department of Health, Deputy Kathleen Lynch, come to the House to explain what alternatives to the cutting of the mobility grant and transport allowance, as announced so suddenly last night, were examined and deemed illegal. I cannot understand what this Government has against people with disabilities. We have seen this with career guidance, special needs assistance and countless other areas. I found it troubling that the word used by the Minister of State, who could not have been personally responsible, was "agonised". I should probably be calling on the Taoiseach to come to the House to explain the matter. The press release states the Government "agonised" over taking this decision. It has had two years to assess what could be have been done rather than introducing a measure that affects the most vulnerable, who number 4,700. It is laughable in light of the supposed equality spin in the Croke Park negotiations, in which a cut of 8% or 9% is sought for people on ¤150,000 per year. The vulnerable to whom I refer are expected to take a cut of 20%.

As stated this morning by Mr. John Dolan, chief executive of the Disability Federation of Ireland, disability grants of ¤10,000 per annum are to be cut by 20%. What clowns in the public service or at Cabinet came up with this proposal? What alternatives were considered and termed illegal? Was a 3% increase in universal social charge for those earning more than ¤100,000 considered? Was consideration given to amendment of the disability Act? Despite the Government's claim that it agonised over this decision, there was no consultation with the disability sector. It makes me sick. There is no justification for this cut. The Government has failed the disability sector. As I have often stated in this House, there are many reasons for failure but there are no excuses for it. The Minister needs to come to this House to account for this criminal behaviour and treatment of people with disabilities.