Sir, – With the possibility of winter blackouts, we now need measures to be put in place to ensure that vulnerable children are not once again hit hardest by an uncaring State. Heating costs are invariably higher for children who have mobility issues while additional equipment requires additional storage space, further increasing costs.
Many children have additional, sometimes lifesaving, equipment that further pushes up electricity costs.
Measures to provide support to our most vulnerable should be a major component of the upcoming budget. Unfortunately it is hard to see how this will happen when senior officials in the Department of Health have historically shown little interest in the needs of those with disabilities.
Neither the HSE nor the Department of Health has ever given the impression that disability services were much of a priority to them. It has been clear for some time now that a senior minister for disabilities and a disabilities department entirely separate from the Department of Health is required. – Yours, etc,
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RUARY MARTIN,
Sandyford,
Dublin 18.