The new Programme for Government (PfG) “Securing Ireland’s Future” presents the five-year plan for policy. development and implementation in Ireland. As a Disabled Persons Organisation (DPO), Independent Living Movement Ireland has reviewed this vital document based on our collective pre-election manifesto Invest in Inclusion – Read pdf version: Invest in Inclusion – Key Political Priorities for Disabled People.
On that basis, there are huge concerns that much of the focus on Disabled People is not about our inclusion in mainstream services, but a large focus is as objects of service provision and segregated services. The launch and resourcing of a whole of Government National Disability Strategy will hopefully address the absence of Disabled People’s lives in Housing, Transport and Health in much of the PfG.
Whilst we as Disabled People do not expect to see our lives referenced in every single line of the PfG, messages about accessibility and inclusion in Public Services would signal the intention of the new Government that they intended to Invest in Inclusion.
That has not been the case. Indeed, in the section on Disabled people and education there is regression to segregated “special” education and worrying references in disability to increasing residential settings. Both are contrary to the implementation of the UNCRPD.
Summary Analysis
Inclusive consultation of disabled people through DPOs
The Government’s commitment to ‘work in partnership with disabled people and their representative organisations in co-designing improvements to services and prioritising what measures are most important to them’ (Pg. 91) fits with the expressed wishes of disabled people to be consulted. That said, the draft Programme for Government (PfG) needs to explicitly mention DPOs as the most authentic voices for disabled people.
Invest on Accessible Housing
The PfG rightly singles out housing as an important area to focus for government. It speaks of accelerating housing supply through different ways including construction, regulation, cutting bureaucratic red tapes, etc. (Pg. 39-46) It is extremely informed by supply side economics in which the benefits of increased housing supply will trickle down to marginalised groups including disabled people. This is far from adequate to addressing the housing needs of disabled people which should be talked through targeted measures on housing and accessibility.
Personal Assistant Services (PAS)
PAS are very critical issues for disabled people as they strive to have choice and control over their lives. The PfG associates PAS with Independent Living (Pg. 92) which is the right thing to do. However, the commitment to increase PAS hours must be backed up by clear quantifiable commitments. Additionally, there must be a better understanding that PAS is not just about access to education but is inclusive of a whole range of needs of disabled people. It is also unfortunate that the PfG did not commit to the much-needed legislative changes on PAS.
Inclusive Education
The PfG lists proposed items to support students with additional educational needs (P.68). This should also be taken as a positive step but cautioning that it offers little to address inclusion of disabled children in mainstream schools. The PfG did not commit to solicit the views of DPOs or consult them on the issue.
Inclusive Employment
Bullet points from third to seventh in Supporting Workers section (Pg. 16) make references to how the PfG intends to make employment inclusive to disabled people. Compared with other issues in the document, these appear to aim better in making employment to disabled people. However, it should be noted that the description of the economy as in full employment does not go in line with the low labour participation rates of disabled people in Ireland compared with other EU states.
Access to Travel
Disabled people call for a number of actions to ensure the transport system is accessible and inclusive to them. Whereas the intention to diversify transport options (Pg.73) helps address transport needs for all, the PfG makes very few commitments which tally with needs of disabled people. For instance, no commitment was mentioned to make public transport accessible by consulting with DPOs.
Recognise Older People
There is a section on older people in the PfG on page 96 in addition to references in other parts of the document such as mental health. The PfG overlooks the issue of discontinuing certain disability supports when people reach the age of 65.
Read the full ILMI analysis of the Programme for Government
Access a PDF or Microsoft Word version on the submissions section of the ILMI website
Go to the ILMI Submissions Page