Letter to Oireachtas Members: Priorities for the Next Programme for Government

Issued on November 7 2024

The six organisations of the Oireachtas Disability Group (ODG) wrote to all Oireachtas members to #PrioritiseDisability. This means keeping the rights of people with disabilities at the forefront of the election campaign and during the formation and tenure of the next Government. As the term of this Government draws to a close, it is the firm and joint position of the six umbrella bodies that all political representatives, parties and policy makers should ensure that actionable steps that prioritise the realisation of UNCRPD rights are included in the next Programme for Government. The letter outlines the need to focus on addressing provision of disability specific support services, cost of disability and a range of measures that promote community inclusion.

The six members of the ODG are:

  • Disability Federation of Ireland
  • National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers
  • Inclusion Ireland
  • Independent Living Movement Ireland
  • Mental Health Reform
  • National Disability Services Association

The letter is below: 

Re: Priorities for the Next Programme for Government

Dear Oireachtas Member,

We are jointly writing to you as the Oireachtas Disability Group, comprised of six national leadership and umbrella bodies from across the broad spectrum of Ireland’s disability movement - namely the Disability Federation of Ireland; Inclusion Ireland; Independent Living Movement Ireland; Mental Health Reform; National Disability Services Association; and the National Federation of Voluntary Service Providers. We advocate on behalf of people with disabilities, their families and service providers on matters of key importance relating to disability, supporting an equality agenda in line with the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

As the upcoming election approaches, it is essential to keep the rights of people with disabilities, including those with psychosocial disabilities, at the forefront—throughout the campaign and during the formation and tenure of the next Government. The ODG have come together to highlight the following concerns, which we urge you to prioritise and address:

» Over 2,000 people are living in congregated settings and over 1,000 people under the age of 65 are living in nursing homes. The allocation of 20 places in Budget 2025 to address these needs is a cause of significant concern to the disability umbrella bodies and leaves the targets of the Action Plan for Disability Services 2024-2026 far behind. It is essential that there is a strong commitment to meeting the targets for decongregation set in the
Action Plan and the implementation of the recommendations from the Wasted Lives Report and the Time to Move on from Congregated Settings Report.

» The State should prioritise delivering planned residential supports that enable people to realise their right under article 19 of the UNCRPD to live in the community, and move away from only providing emergency responses when people reach crisis. Currently, we are aware of 1,952 people that require a residential place (1,434 of these are in immediate need).

» Personal assistance (PA) and home support hours are a vital resource for people with disabilities to live independently in the community. A commitment is required to reach the target of 800,000 additional PA and 110,000 additional home support hours by 2026, as set out in the Action
Plan for Disability Services. Personalised Budgets also need to become a viable and realistic option for disabled people and their families. It is
important that we move on from merely piloting this model and resource it properly. This is another critical way to move away from crisis or traditional
responses and towards rights-based supports as per the UNCRPD.

» The one-off lumpsum payment of €400 to people in receipt of the Disability Allowance in Budget 2025, was an acknowledgement of the increased cost of living for disabled people - but does not address the core issues outlined in the Government’s own 2021 report on the Cost of Disability in Ireland. These are the additional costs experienced by disabled people irrespective of inflation and other cost of living increases. A permanent payment in response to the Cost of Disability is essential. It also important to recognise that the cost of disability is borne by people in employment as well as those reliant on social welfare.

» Ireland has the worst disability employment gap in the EU. There needs to be an increase to the rate of the Wage Subsidy Scheme which is now at
46% of minimum wage. Moreover, there needs to be an increase in income disregards for those receiving disability payments.

» The maximum amount for the Housing Adaptation Grant should be increased to address the level of construction cost inflation. A key focus
needs to be maintained on addressing the underlying issues of accessibility.

» According to the WHO, Assistive Technology is pivotal to the achievement of rights of persons with a disability. While the 2024 allocation to the Digital
and Assistive Technology Fund represented a good start, much greater and ongoing investment is needed in the development of an AT ecosystem across the country that supports active inclusion and participation of disabled people in all aspects of life.

» Innovation and forward thinking in terms of how we plan and deliver disability services will be essential for Ireland to realise its obligations under
the UNCRPD. Specific resourcing for projects such as personalised budgets and clarity around funding for Disabled Person’s Organisations should be
prioritised.

» A clear commitment to accessible and clear budget announcements is required in relation to the allocation to disability services. In particular, the
funding covered under existing levels of service (ELS) and what has been allocated for new developments should be announced clearly. Each specific
area of support (e.g. PA hours, the number of new residential support packages/places, the number of school leaver places etc) needs to be
announced to meet the need for an accessible and transparent budget communication.

» It is vital that the fundamental issue of pay parity and alignment with HSE Pay Scales for staff be addressed urgently.

» We welcome the announcement of the accession to the Optional Protocol to the UNCRPD, as a demonstration of Ireland’s commitment to upholding the rights of individuals under the Convention. We urge the State to continually prioritise the realisation of the rights contained in this important international instrument. As the term of this Government draws to a close, it is the firm and joint position of the six umbrella bodies that all political representatives, parties and policy makers should ensure that actionable steps that prioritise the realisation of UNCRPD rights are included in the next
Programme for Government.

These actions include:

  • Specific actions to address the concerns listed above.
  • The full implementation of existing plans/policies: Action Plan for Disability Services 2024–2026, Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027, Cost of Disability Report 2021, the Wasted Lives Report 2021, and Time to Move on from Congregated Settings 2011.
  • A commitment to a coordinated cross-department strategy to implement UNCRPD rights.
  • A commitment to reinstate the Mental Health Bill 2024 to Dáil Committee Stage and to progress the Bill within the first 100 days in office. In light of the serious concerns raised by all umbrella bodies, we strongly urge you to share these messages broadly within your networks and ensure they are a focus point in the General Election and acted upon during the term of the next Government. Your commitment to addressing these pressing issues is essential to achieving meaningful progress for people with disabilities in Ireland.

    Best wishes,
    Elaine Teague, CEO, Disability
    Federation of Ireland
    Philip Watt, Interim CEO, Mental Health
    Reform
    Derval McDonagh, CEO, Inclusion
    Ireland
    Barry McGinn, Chair, National Disability
    Services Association
    Desmond Kenny, Chair, Independent
    Living Movement Ireland
    Alison Harnett, CEO, National Federation
    of Voluntary Service Providers