Minister meeting Walk Peer group

FINIAN McGrath TD, Minister with Special Responsibility for Disability Issues, is to meet with the Louth Walk Peer Group on Thursday in Leinster House.

The ‘Walk Peer’ programme, piloted in Co. Louth, was funded by the Department of Social Protection and European Social Fund and supported young people (aged between 16 and 24) with intellectual disabilities and helped them into training, education and employment.

It ended last summer, but was kept going in Louth after funding was secured from the Ulster Bank, under a skills and opportunity fund.

However, the programme is again threatened with closure.

Fergus O’Dowd TD said he hopes this week’s meeting can be the start of a detailed discussion between all sides and that a positive outcome will be found.

At the June meeting of Louth county council, a motion was passed calling on Minister McGrath to ensure funding is provided to continue and expand the programme.

Proposing his motion, Cllr Tomas Sharkey said the main issue is that they want the service to continue.

It is making such a big difference to the lives of young people in the county.

The Sinn Fein representative further requested funding to be attached to the ‘comprehensive employment strategy for people with disabilities’ so that Walk Peer is secured and sustainable in the long-term.

‘It works, we should continue with it,’ remarked Cllr Maeve Yore.