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
PwDI (People with Disabilities in Ireland) was established in 2000 as an organisation to represent and look after the interests of people with disabilities. It is the only national cross disability organisation funded by Government, or more specifically the Department of Justice, Equality & Law Reform. Its aim is to help all people with disabilities to participate in and influence the decision making process that impacts on their lives and the opportunities open to them.
PwDI is an umbrella organisation that brings together people with some form of disability at national and local level to work on common issues that affect all those with disability. Its strength lies in its membership and the local networks spread throughout the country.
Cross disability is a generic term that describes a broad range of disabilities, including those that are physical, emotional, intellectual and mental. It is estimated that there are almost 400,000 people with such disabilities in Ireland, equivalent to almost 10 per cent of the total population. As such it is a very important and potentially influential segment of the Irish population, but one that is rarely afforded the dignity, rights and respect that it deserves. PwDI aims to allow this important group realise its full potential and maximise its influence at local and national level.
Dignity, equality and basic human rights for people with some form of disability are central to the agenda of PwDI. Consequently we believe that Government policy should help those with disability realise these objectives. The particular needs of those with some form of disability need to be acknowledged and satisfied if Ireland is to have a truly inclusive and civilised society. With the Irish economic background strong and healthy and the Exchequer finances in a relatively strong position, we believe that Budget 2006 will present another significant opportunity for Government to address in a meaningful way this very worthwhile and deserving agenda, and build on the progress achieved in Budget 2005.
The National Chairman of PwDI, Mr. Nigel Brander, was recently elected President of FIMITIC (International Federation of Persons with Physical Disability. This is a major boost for the Irish disability sector and should act as a catalyst for the Irish Government to take this sector more seriously.
The global economic background remains broadly favourable. The US economy is still growing at a steady pace, while the extremely vibrant Chinese economy is giving a solid boost to the whole Asian region. The UK economy has lost considerable momentum over the past year, but the Bank of England has commenced reducing interest rates in order to lift the economic cycle again. The Euro Zone economy is still quite sluggish, but over the past 6 months signs of recovery have started to emerge and these are expected to gather momentum over the coming year. All in all the international growth environment for a small open economy like Ireland’s is supportive and is likely to remain so during 2006.
The Irish economy continues to perform in a steady manner. The latest national accounts data show that in the first six months of 2005, GDP expanded by 3.1% and GNP by 3.3%. Consumption expanded by 4.9%, gross domestic physical capital formation expanded by 9.9%, and exports actually fell by 0.5%. The data show that exports are under some pressure, and that domestic demand is now the key driver of growth in the economy. Consumer spending is being driven by solid growth in incomes and employment, while the construction sector continues to be extremely buoyant, driven in particular by strong residential housing activity. Irish exporters are finding life quite difficult, with a declining manufacturing base, adverse currency movements, increased global competition and the loss of cost competitiveness all having an impact. The overall growth performance in the first half of the year was on the lower side of expectations, but a steady improvement is anticipated during the second half of the year and GDP growth for the full year is likely to be around 4.5%.
Looking ahead to the domestic dynamics in 2006, the overall picture is likely to be broadly similar to 2005. Consumer spending should be buoyed up by a strong labour market, and ongoing solid growth in disposable incomes. The commencement of SSIA maturations in May should give a further boost to consumer spending power in the second half of the year and into 2007. Investment activity will continue to be driven by construction activity and despite the misgivings of some; construction activity is not about to weaken sharply. On the downside, the environment for exporters and manufacturing activity in general is likely to remain challenging.
In overall terms, the Irish economic background remains broadly favourable and should be capable of delivering GDP growth of around 4.5% and GNP growth of around 4% in 2006. Oil prices and the general issue of competitiveness remain the key threats to watch.
An Exchequer deficit of €1,123 million was recorded in the first nine months of the year. This compares to a deficit of €418 million in the same period last year.
Tax revenues are running €1 billion ahead of what the Department of Finance had budgeted for. Excise Duties, Stamp Duties, Income Tax and VAT are all running ahead of profile. VAT and Excise Duty receipts reflect the strong level of consumer spending, while the incessant strength of the housing market is continuing to drive stamp duties very strongly. The corporation tax take is somewhat disappointing. While the larger public companies in the market are still reporting solid profit performance, it is probable that tightening margins as a result of escalating input costs and limited pricing power is squeezing smaller companies. This is particularly true in manufacturing activities.
On the spending side, the Government is continuing to exert reasonable control. Net voted spending is €916 million behind the planned profile, and represents growth of 9%, compared to a target of 11% for the full year.
The deficit of €1,123 million for the first nine months compares to a targeted deficit of €2,988 million for the year as a whole. With tax revenues traditionally strong in the final quarter, it is clear that the outturn for the year should come in below €1 billion, which would set a positive backdrop for Budget 2006.
Budget 2006 is being prepared against a reasonably solid economic and fiscal background, so there should be sufficient scope to address a broad policy agenda, particularly those areas of social policy that have received less attention than they warranted over the past three budgets.
The overall economic and social policy objectives of the budget should be focused on:
• Maintaining economic stability
• Maximising employment creation
• Improving the competitiveness of the economy, and
• The improvement of essential public services and the welfare of the disadvantaged in society.
To achieve these economic policy objectives it would be desirable to have minimal changes to indirect taxes, which would help keep inflation in check, full indexation of tax bands and allowances in order to offer much needed assistance to low and middle income workers, and a significant spending package to address areas of social concern and improve the quality of public services.
In relation to Disability we believe that the recent suggestions by the OECD that disability benefits can be used as a half way house between working and retirement and that the rules on disability should be tightened in the context of addressing the pensions situation, are dangerous. Those people with disability are amongst the most disadvantaged in society; they face very high living costs, have significantly lower levels of employment, and have amongst the worst pension coverage in the Irish economy. We would reject in the strongest possible terms any attempts to scapegoat this very vulnerable segment of Irish society.
The Census of 2002 showed that that in that year, 323,707 persons were classified as having a disability. This was equivalent to 8.3% of the population at the time. More recent data from the Quarterly National Household Survey (QNHS) showed that in the first quarter of 2004, 298,300 people in the working age group of 15 – 64 years indicated a longstanding health problem or disability. This is equivalent to 10.9% of all persons in that age group. Of the total number of persons in that age group, just 37% indicated that they were in employment, with the remaining 63% either unable to work or unable to find work. For the general population, the labour force participation rate currently stands at 61.5%.
We believe that a group in society that accounts for such a significant part of the population deserves and should be given very careful consideration and the maximum assistance possible. The objective of policies towards people with disabilities should be to support and reinforce their equal and full participation in society. Budget 2005 went some distance in addressing the problems of this sector, with an 11% increase in spending specifically for people with disabilities. In overall terms, €2.8 billion was provided in last year’s budget for people with disabilities in order to finance a number of objectives. The funding is aimed at providing:
• Health sector services for people with disabilities,
• First, second and third level special education needs,
• Specialised training and employment support services provided by Fas,
• The cost of certain tax reliefs to assist mobility, and
• The adaptation of accommodation specifically for persons with disabilities.
Such spending is essential to address the ongoing problems encountered by this significant segment of the population that has not fared particularly well in the economic and fiscal climate that has prevailed in recent years. No single budget can address all of the needs of this sector, but just as was the case with last year’s budget, Budget 2006 should form a key part of a longer-term strategy for the disability sector.
Despite this increase in spending, there are still serious shortcomings in policy towards the sector. The latest report from the Health Research Board found that 2,270 people with intellectual disabilities are without services or a major element of a service, such as residential or day services. This is clearly unacceptable if a first-world civilised society.
We believe that Budget 2006 should address the following issues relating to the disability sector.
The cost of living for people with disability is higher than for the general population and this imposes a considerable financial burden. There is a high correlation between disability and poverty. A report last year from the Department of Community & Social Affairs showed that 66.5% of people with a disability fall below the 60% level of median income, and 22.5% suffer basic deprivation. This is due to a combination of limited income potential for those with disabilities and the fact that the cost of living for those with a disability is generally significantly higher than for the rest of the community. The costs of disability include medical expenses, mobility and communications, transport, disability aids, home adaptation costs, carers’ loss of income, heating and many other items besides.
The cost of living issue is particularly relevant at the moment, given the substantial increase in oil prices over the past year. In the past 15 months, the cost of filling a 1000 litre tank with home heating oil has increased from €370 to €654. Average homes have to fill home heating oil tanks around 2 ˝ times per year, but for somebody with a disability, the requirement is significantly higher due to the lack of mobility and the fact that many people with a disability are confined to their homes for long periods of time.
These rising fuel costs and the general high level of expense associated with disability make it imperative that the Minister for Finance introduce a weekly cost of living payment in this year’s budget. It is estimated that a weekly payment of €40 is needed to meet the extra costs associated with a high level of disability, down to €10 for those with moderate disabilities. A cost of living payment for those with a disability should be set at a minimum level of €40 per week, means tested in a sensible way. This payment should be indexed on an annual basis at twice the annual rate of Consumer Price Inflation. Such indexation would be recognition of the higher inflation in areas that are particularly important for those with disabilities. It is a fundamental principle of equality that somebody should not have a lower standard of living by virtue of having a disability.
Despite the allocations in Budget 2005, the quality of life for those with disabilities is still seriously hampered by the lack of qualified professionals in areas such as Speech Therapy and Occupational Therapy. There is a serious scarcity of such professionals, not least due to the fact that access to these professions is seriously restricted. We suggest that restrictions to entry should be dismantled and encouragement given to enter these professions. Such encouragement should include financial incentives in return for an obligation to devote the first two years after qualification to the public service.
The National Disability Strategy makes no proper provision for Carers. The carer’s allowance is means tested for those aged 18 or over caring on a full time basis for someone who requires full time care and attention and will require it for at least 12 months. We believe that this allowance should not be means tested. Furthermore family members who act as carers are not entitled to a carer’s allowance, despite the opportunity cost involved for that family member and the extra cost to the Exchequer of having to provide a carer. Statistics from the CSO show that there are almost 150,000 people in Ireland providing unpaid help for a family member or friend with a disability or health problem. These unpaid carers are currently given little or no recognition by the state for the valuable task that they perform. The individualisation of the tax system attracted many female workers back into the labour force and seriously depleted the availability of carers. This places those with disability at a serious disadvantage and is symptomatic of the undervalued nature of the carer’s role. The status of paid and unpaid carers needs to be treated as a key priority.
In 2005, local authorities returned €17.6 million unspent to the Department of the Environment, that was actually allocated for the Disabled Persons and essential Repairs grants in 2004. This money would have enabled a further 1,000 homes to be adapted for disabled people. This mal-administration needs to be sorted out, but in addition, the capital-spending allocation to the disability sector needs to be increased in order to address areas where are serious shortcomings. These include:
• Housing Adaptation Grants
There is currently an unacceptable backlog of applications for Adaptation Grants and there are currently delays of up to two years for grants coming through. In the meantime, people with disabilities are being forced to take out loans to effect structural changes that are necessary to allow them live as normal a life as possible. This places a huge financial burden and strain on a sector that already has to endure considerable financial stress by virtue of disability. Due to funding constraints, many local authorities have not been in a position to fulfil their obligations. This is totally unacceptable and needs to be addressed. Such grants allow many people with disabilities remain in their own homes and in their own communities. The longstanding review of the structures needs to be completed as a priority.
• Accessibility of Public Buildings
Priority needs to be given to ensuring that all public buildings are made accessible for those with disabilities. New buildings continue to be erected around Ireland with no disability access, despite the existence of Part M of the building regulations. These building regulations relating to access for those with disabilities are clearly not monitored effectively by the authorities, and there would appear to be widespread flouting of the regulations. This cannot be allowed continue.
• Provision of Alternative Facilities
Suitable facilities need to be provided for patients who are needlessly in psychiatric hospitals or ordinary hospitals. This would free up scare beds in general and psychiatric hospitals and would provide a much cheaper and effective alternative.
The criteria used for assessing eligibility for a medical card for those with disability are overly restrictive. The restrictive criteria act as a major disincentive for those who want to move from social welfare into paid employment. The loss of a medical card for somebody with a disability is particularly difficult, because of the much higher medical costs associated with disability. We believe that all those with disabilities should be automatically eligible for a medical card, regardless of employment status.
Employment levels for those with disability are much lower than for the general population. This has the effect of ensuring that those on the margins of society as a result of disability, actually remain on the margins. In a fully employed economy where there is clearly a shortage of labour, it is imperative that policies to increase labour force participation rates for those with a disability are pursued. The provision of broad training and workplace skills should form a central part of the overall package.
It is arguable that in the aggregate, sufficient monies are now being made available to the disability sector, and that modest growth in spending on an annual basis from hereon would be sufficient to address the key requirements in the sector. The problem is that the monies are being dissipated in an uncoordinated fashion, leading to considerable waste and poor value for money. Almost every Government department has some part to play in the funding of disability services and supports. We believe that this results in gross inefficiency and value for money is not attained from the resources that are spent. There is too much focus on financial inputs, rather than outputs obtained.
We believe that existing resources would be utilised in a more effective manner if one Minister of State were given full responsibility for co-ordination in this sector, including the disbursement of all funds. This is particularly relevant in the context of a budget that should exceed €15 billion over the current five-year period. Such a spending budget should warrant a dedicated Minister for State to ensure that the money is utilized in a productive and efficient way. This would be of no extra cost to the Exchequer and would result in better value for money. Furthermore, we would suggest that this Minister of State attend Cabinet meetings for briefings on disability legislation and related issues when necessary.
It is also the case that the sector itself does not always act in a coordinated manner. At the moment there are over 500 disability groups and organizations and there is little history of co-operation and partnership between these groups. We believe that Government should insist on better leadership and co-ordination within the sector.
The key priority of Government in relation to the disability sector should be to allow all people with disabilities live with as much comfort and dignity as possible. In many cases this will require additional resources and in some cases it will require more efficient use of and monitoring of existing resources.
Budget 2006 as it relates to the disability sector should focus on the following areas:
• The introduction of a special cost of living allowance of at least €40 per week to help people with disabilities cope with the extra financial burden associated with disability. This is particularly relevant this year, given the escalation in energy costs over the past year.
• The provision of more professional personnel to the sector.
• Address the status of unpaid carers in the sector.
• An increase in resources and better management of capital investment and adaptation grants.
• Relaxation of the criteria used for assessing eligibility for medical cards for those with a disability.
• Improvement in employment opportunities for those with a disability.
• Greater co-ordination of services to the sector and a more co-ordinated approach from the sector itself.
Budget 2006 should be seen, as the next step in a long-term strategy for those with disabilities and it should back up the objectives inherent in the overall disability strategy.
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