People with Disabilities in Ireland
4th Floor Jervis House
Jervis Street
Dublin 1
Telephone: 01 87 21 74 4
Fax: 01 87 21 77 1
Email: info@pwdi.ie
It is deeply disappointing that the Minister for Finance has not introduced a weekly Cost of Disability payment in today's budget, according to People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI), the national independent organisation representing all people with disabilities.
Chief Executive Michael Ringrose said this evening:
"It is deeply disappointing that ten years on from the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, which first recommended a weekly Cost of Disability payment, and in a period of unprecedented economic success, that the Government has not acted upon this recommendation."
A National Disability Authority report, published last year, found that a weekly payment of 40euro is needed to meet the extra costs associated with a high level of disability down to 10 euro for moderate disabilities.
"This is an equality issue," said Mr Ringrose. "A person with a disability on the same income as a person without a disability has a lower standard of living because of the extra costs associated with disability, including mobility, transport and general cost of living expenses."
Mr Ringrose did, however, welcome other budget measures.
"The increase in the fuel allowance from 9 to 14 euro a week is welcome, as are the improvements in Respite Care, the Carers and other allowances," he said.
Further information:
Michael Ringrose 087-2804590
Mairead Foley, Foley Ryan Communications: 086 - 2556764
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