DISABILITY STRATEGY:DISABILITY GROUPS have criticised the Government's latest round of cutbacks which will result in the loss of a new personal advocacy service which would have benefited hundreds of vulnerable people.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs Mary Hanafin yesterday announced a range of cost-saving measures totalling more than €35 million which include cutting back on plans to expand services for vulnerable families and putting in place tighter controls on welfare fraud. Some of the biggest criticism focused on the decision to axe plans to introduce a personal advocacy service for people with disabilities later this year.
This service – which was a key part of the Government’s national disability strategy – aims to support people with disabilities or mental health problems to identify and understand their needs and options, and to secure their entitlements to social services.
Ms Hanafin did not say when the service would be put in place, except that it was the Government’s intention to introduce it at an “appropriate time”.
However, Inclusion Ireland, the co-ordinating body for over 160 organisations providing services and supports to people with intellectual disabilities, said the cutback would affect some of the most vulnerable and voiceless in society.
The group’s chief executive, Deirdre Carroll, said: “This was a key part of the Government’s disability strategy which was announced with great fanfare. It would have been a statutory service. But this decision sends out all the wrong signals.”
She said the service would have played a vital role in supporting people who have limited capacity or who have difficulties speaking for themselves.
“For example, a lot of people are in services and they may have a complaint or they may not be getting something they are entitled to. Advocacy services support these people and give them a voice. It’s very disappointing that this service isn’t happening, especially when it’s going to save just €500,000,” Ms Carroll said.
The statutory basis for the introduction of a personal advocacy service under the Citizens Information Board was provided for in the Citizens Information Act, 2007.
However, Ms Hanafin said the advocacy service remained a priority and that significant resources will continue to be provided for other advocacy projects already up and running. She said mainstream advocacy was also open to people with disabilities.
