Levels of poverty among the disabled are twice as high as the general population, the Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) said today.
The DFI, which made its pre-budget submission this morning, called on Taoiseach Bertie Ahern to honour a pledge he made to the disabled and their carers last year.
Speaking at the unveiling of the Disability Strategy last year, Mr Ahern said it was the Government's core social objective "to ensure that people have the resources and opportunities to live life with dignity and have access to the quality public services that underpin life chances and experiences."
The DFI said today the Government has failed in this pledge, with many disabled people being prevented from participating in society because of the lack of support.
The federation, which represents more than 150 disabilities organisations, also said the children of disabled people are missing out because they are being forced to stay at home to look after their parents.
The DFI called on Minister for Finance Brian Cowen to allocate over €150 million to services for the disabled in his forthcoming budget.
Among its main demands is the introduction of a cost of disability payment of €40 a week for people receiving a means-tested social welfare payment, and the Disability Allowance to be increased by €17 to €165.80 per week.
The DFI is calling for €20 million to be spent on care assistants and home help to support children caring for their parents and €50 million to be invested in providing suitable care for severely disabled people who are in inappropriate accommodation in acute hospitals and nursing homes.
The DFI is also seeking an increase in the Government allocation to disabled people's housing grants from €70 million to €105 million.