People with Disabilities in Ireland > News and Publications

BUDGET DISAPPOINTS SAYS PEOPLE WITH DISABILITIES

There is no doubt but that the Tánaiste is deeply committed to achieving better outcomes from the Health services. The difficulty, however, is that when it comes to disability she is dealing with decades of severe neglect. In her own words there has been "systemic maladministration."

The setting up of the HSE gave hope that at least some of the archaic practices were about to change, practices that place people on a never ending circuit but rarely deliver for the individual because it is system focused rather than human focused. It's encouraging that the HSE's National Manager for Disability Services, James O'Grady, recognises the need for radical change, promising a real and determined effort to link the HSE more effectively with the end-user.

However, the Minister will have to be vigilant. The national disability strategy launched in September 2004 promised an extra 1.3 billion euro across Government Departments up to 2009. A recent Health Research Board report found that it is inadequate, particularly for people with intellectual disabilities. There are also major fears that the majority of the allocation will go on more administration rather than improved services. Recent Dáil replies offer little hope.

The two critical issues are the co-ordination of services across all Government Departments, resulting in delivery for the individual rather than those who seek to empire build or want the comfort of the status quo, and the implementation of quality standards for the delivery of services.

Progress so far is disappointing. There is no lead Department in terms of delivery of services for people with disabilities. While a great deal of work has gone into the preparation of draft standards the Tánaiste's junior Minister and party colleague, Tim O'Malley, has indicated that implementation would take years.

The significance of the interconnectedness of access to health services and such things as training and education goes largely unappreciated by policy makers and administrators. There must be genuine consultation with people with disabilities. Experience shows that where it happens it results in better services, better communities, and better value for the taxpayer. Had such consultation happened in Dublin two years ago it would have avoided the need to close the Dart line for the second year in a row, this time to install wheelchair access.

The Tánaiste has onerous responsibilities. People with disabilities are justifiably impatient. We say full marks for effort but the jury is still out on delivery.

<< Previous Press Release |Next Press Release >> | Back to index