O’Driscoll pledges to ‘give a voice’ to people with disabilities

IF returned to Government, Fine Gael will “sustainably” increase support for people with disabilities.

That’s according to the party’s Cork East general election candidate Pa O’Driscoll, who has said the issue was one being frequently raised by people with him while out on the campaign trail.

“I am meeting families almost everyday who need extra supports to reduce the burden and stress that they are carrying. The fact is that those with disabilities and those caring for family members with disabilities all too often feel marginalised,” said the Rathcormac native.

“If elected a TD, I will work to give a voice to these families and I will be strong and vocal advocate for more supports, be they financial or medical,” he pledged.

Mr O’Driscoll said Fine Gael “understood” that many people with disabilities faced extra living costs, which was why the party had prioritised an incremental increase in weekly social welfare payments by at least €25 over the next five years.

“Fine Gael in Government is already piloting this approach in two phases with 180 participants. At the end of 2019, the first group of users had their budgets approved and phase two will commence this year,” said Mr O’Driscoll.

“We also recognise that people with disabilities face barriers when trying to enter the workplace, which is why we will implement a programme for employers to support recruitment and retention.”

On a more general level, Mr O’Driscoll said Fine Gael had commissioned research into services for people living with disabilities.

“This will survey more than 30,000 people and provide the evidence needed to make future policy as effective and all-encompassing as possible,” said Mr O’Driscoll.

“Equality of opportunity is a fundamental value in a democratic republic, and Fine Gael believes that the State has an important role in ensuring that all people are treated equally and that no person is held back from achieving their potential.”