Disability Federation of Ireland Newsletter July 2007

When we launched "A Lot Planned - All To Do", our Programme for Government document we singled out three key issues to be addressed in the parties' manifestos. We sought parties to state fully in their manifestos:

"That in Government we:

• will commence progressive implementation of the Cost of Disability Payment.
• will adequately resource current service delivery by voluntary disability organisations.
• will identify for each year of the Programme for Government the objectives and outcomes for the NDS, having regard to the vision and long term goals for people with disabilities as set out in 'Towards 2016'."

The new agreed Programme for Government section on disability states:

"This Government is determined to continue to prioritise the interests of people with disabilities over the next five years, through a series of significant measures. We are committed to ensuring that the Strategy is driven and managed from a whole of Government perspective and it will be overseen and supported by the Department of An Taoiseach. This Government, will for each year of the Programme for Government, set out the objectives and outcomes to be reached in the NDS having regard to the vision and long term goals for people with disabilities as set out in Towards 2016. This approach will be properly monitored and we will ensure that at least half of the strategy is implemented by 2010. (Page 33)"

The Programme for Government does not include a direct commitment on resources of current service delivery by voluntary disability organisations , but states:

"We will also examine ways of: Strengthening further the relationship between Government and community and voluntary organisations .(Page 50)" DFI will continue to press the issue of under-resourcing of organisations through all available channels.

It is disappointing that the Programme contains only a commitment to "Publish a review of the Cost of Disability payment. (Pg. 34)" This falls far short of implementation the case for this payment is well proven. It is time to implement the payment now, without further delays and yet another review.

The General Election is over and now we must continue to remind the elected candidates of the commitments they made during the campaign. Disability must be kept at the top of the Government agenda to ensure that people with disabilities are enabled to fully participate in all aspects of society.

DFI will be working to influence the Estimates and Budgets 2008. DFI encourages all organisations to make their needs known. We will launch our pre-budget submission on Wednesday 3rd October 2007. You will be able to present your own organisation's issues directly to the members of the Oireachtas who will be present at this event.

John Dolan
CEO