FOREIGN companies which get IDA grants should be required to employ some disabled people, the Disability Federation of Ireland says in a pre Budget submission.
The DFI represents more than 60 disability organisations and says much "can be done by a change of attitude" to help disabled people play a fuller and more active role.
It says for example that "the hundreds of millions of pounds which are spent encouraging foreign business into Ireland via IDA grants without any requirement in relation to the employment of disabled people."
The DFI is also seeking changes in the Disabled Person's Maintenance Allowance - one of the main State income supports for disabled people - to make it easier for recipients to take up jobs.
When people on the DPMA take up employment they should be allowed to keep their free travel and medical cards Tore a period and they should be allowed to earn up to £60 a week without having their DPMA reduced, it says.
The DFI also complains that it is being made more difficult for disability groups to obtain grants. Responsibility for some grants for smaller organisations was transferred from the Department of Social Welfare to the Department of Health last year. As a result, some groups have to make separate applications to eight different health boards in place of a single application to the Department of Social Welfare.
The system should be simplified and health boards should process applications in a speedy and efficient manner, it says.
In general, the value of the voluntary sector is not recognised by State agencies, it says, "with many voluntary organisations continually struggling to provide services with little support or concern from the statutory sector".