Government has ‘failed to adequately support people with a disability’ - Perry
IT is ‘shameful’ that the outgoing Government have failed to adequately support people living with a disability, with statistics now showing that Ireland has failed miserably when it comes to addressing disability poverty, says Independent General Election candidate John Perry.
The former Fine Gael TD says that this is a problem which is not being addressed.
He said: “On this campaign trail, I have met several families with disabled dependants and indeed people living alone with a disability and they are struggling to get by on a daily basis.
“There is a crisis that nobody is addressing. Over 13% of the population in Ireland are living with a disability and their chances of living in consistent poverty has more than doubled since 2010.”
Mr. Perry added: “This is the worst country in Europe for a person with a disability to reside in.
“In the north-west of Ireland there are people with a disability who can’t get by from week to week, and depend on extended family relatives and friends for support.
“Poverty is rampant among the disabled population and as a result social exclusion is a common occurrence leading in many cases to isolation and depression.
“The newly elected Government, whatever way its made up, must provide more supports for our Disabled population”.
Perry also said that a new approach is needed to support people living with a disability.
He said: “That approach needs to be based around ‘inclusion’ and Government and department officials need to realise that disability is not ( just) a health issue, it’s a social issue that needs to be made a priority.
“Employment opportunities need to be made available, introduce a proper funding model so as to end disability poverty.
“We also need more access to the education system for children and young persons living with a disability”.
The Ballymote native says that funding needs to be restored to the sector.
“Funding to the disability sector and its services have never been restored since the massive cut backs in 2008.
“Voluntary organisations providing services to people living with a disability have been badly affected by cuts to the services.
“Many of these service organisations are also struggling to survive with an estimated €40 million funding deficit nationally required to fund these organisations who do terrific work. It’s high time that disability rights were made a priority”.