DECDIY action plan must focus on investment in services that ensure inclusion and realisation of UNCRPD.
Today (Thursday 14th December) ILMI recognises the significant investment in Personal Assistance Service (PAS) in the new disability services action plan,
“The Personal Assistance Service is the most fundamental investment that the State can make in committing to realising our participation in society. It is recognised nationally and internationally as not only the service we need but the most cost-effective investment to delivering inclusion” said Des Kenny, ILMI Chairperson.
“The continued investment in PAS is vital and needed and is reflective of the demands made by disabled people through our PAS NOW campaign and I want to note the continued commitment of disabled people in this campaign.
“ILMI recognises the commitment of Ministers O’Gorman and Rabbitte to the realisation of the UNCRPD. ILMI raised many concerns about the Disability Capacity Review to 2032 and wants to see measures enacted by the Department officials that guarantee that all state investments don’t merely pay “lip service” to the principles of the UNCRPD. The genesis of the Disability Capacity Review in itself was contrary to the spirit and principles of the UNCRPD as it was developed without any process of engagement with us through our DPOs and is more reflective of continually investing in systems that are fundamentally about segregating disabled people into separate unequal services” added Mr Kenny.
“There are huge concerns that whilst we can welcome 800,000 additional PA hours, that, at the same time , there are ongoing commitments in investments in residential settings. We cannot promote or champion a long-term commitment to realising the CPRD by dressing up the status quo in UNCRPD clothing “throwing good money after bad” by State funding continuing to go to segregated settings and towards long-criticised residential settings that the State committed decades ago to end and reform through a policy of inclusion,” added Mr Kenny.