Newsletter July 2010

We are now witnessing the effects of cumulative cuts and “adjustments” as they now directly impact on services. It is clear that we are now at a point where further cuts can mean only one thing, a reduction in services to people with disabilities.

To date some cuts were communicated and planned while others are simply being imposed without any indication or planning. On the other hand commitments such as the Value for Money and Policy Review and the NDS Protection Plan are not in place. Cutting spending without regard for stated Government disability policy continues to be the predominant practice.

Before this year is out there will have been needless loss of vital services to disabled people unless the HSE takes seriously its responsibility to protect and prioritise services to this group. The urgent publication of the Government”s plan to protect the NDS is well overdue and badly needed. We welcome the commitment of Minister Carey to advance this with his Cabinet colleagues but it needs to happen urgently.

John Dolan
Chief Executive Officer