Disability Federation of Ireland Newsletter June 2008

In the Programme for Government published in 2007 a commitment was made "to ensure that at least half of the strategy (Disability) will be implemented by 2010". Our national leaders made this commitment - and understandably raised expectations of the disability support organisations and their service users all around the country. At the present rate of progress it is not possible that half of the National Disability Strategy will be implemented by 2010 – and at this time we are having difficulty establishing what exactly can be achieved by 2010.

The Programme for Government committed to 'setting-out objectives and outcomes', for the sector – and this has not happened. We are aware that some funds 'set-out' for the sector have been diverted to other health sectors, and this is totally unacceptable and undermines the intent and spirit of Towards 2016. The Government has committed to continue to prioritise its commitment to people with disabilities over the next five years – and not withstanding the changed economic environment - we are insisting that there is no reneging on this commitment.

DFI is particularly concerned that many of the commitments made in the National Disability Strategy, Towards 2016 and in the Programme for Government, are not being honoured. Last June in the Programme for Government there was a recommitment to prioritising the needs of people with disabilities.

Not alone has there been slow progress to date in delivering the National Disability Strategy but we know that funding allocated to disability in the HSE this year is not likely to be delivered and the HSE is seeking to take back money from disability to use elsewhere. We have a new Taoiseach and Minister for Disability. They have got to take early action to ensure their commitment to prioritising disability is met. This years allocation needs to be honoured in full and the 2009 Budget and Estimates have to seriously crank up disability investment. We will be in a good position to judge what has happened by the time the Local Authority and European elections come round next year. Government needs to act decisively now

John Dolan
CEO