Disability groups protest (as Bill was passed 26 May)

Photos by Paula ©

Disability groups protest as Bill is passed

Michael O'Regan
27/05/2005
http://www.ireland.com/newspaper/ireland/2005/0527/1995092640HM8DISABLE.html

Over 500,000 people had expressed concern about the Disability Bill, the Dáil was told. The Bill passed all stages despite Opposition criticism of its guillotining by the Government.

Disability groups protested outside Leinster House yesterday as TDs debated the measure.

The claim about public concern was made by Finian McGrath (Ind, Dublin North Central), who said there should be a clear and unequivocal right to an assessment of need which would not be resource-dependent.

"Of all households headed by a person with a disability, 54.4 per cent live below the 60 per cent poverty line. While the national rate of unemployment has fallen below 4.6 per cent, it is estimated that at least 70 per cent of people with disabilities are unemployed."

Mr McGrath said people with disabilities had to meet the extra costs of having a disability. The Bill was an opportunity not only to bring people into the mainstream of society, but to deal with the issue of the interaction of poverty and disability.

Minister of State for Justice Frank Fahey said he was satisfied the Bill supported the right to an assessment.

"Any person who considers that he or she has a disability can apply for assessment as outlined in the Bill. Those who apply for an independent assessment will, therefore, receive one."

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Audio and video at
http://www.rte.ie/news/2005/0526/disability.html