30 October 2008

INCLUSION IRELAND WELCOMES HALT TO CHANGES IN

DISABILITY ALLOWANCE

Inclusion Ireland welcomes Social and Family Affairs Minister Mary Hanafin’s decision not to implement Budget measures that would have raised the qualifying age for disability allowance from 16 to 18. Minister Hanafin said existing arrangements will continue pending a full review.

Inclusion Ireland CEO Deirdre Carroll says “the move to cut the Disability Allowance without putting in place an allowance to offset the true cost of disability was a retrograde step made in haste”. Inclusion Ireland had a joint meeting with Down Syndrome Ireland and Minister Hanafin on Tuesday last (28th October).

“Careful analysis of the impact of increasing the qualifying age is needed before any changes to the Disability Allowance are made. Inclusion Ireland’s budget submission called for a cost of disability payment, entitlement to a medical card for all children with a disability up to the age of 18, an increase in the domiciliary care allowance to €400 a month and an increase in the respite care grant to €3,000 per annum.

“These changes should have been introduced before the qualifying age for Disability Allowance was raised. Inclusion Ireland looks forward to working with Minister Hanafin on a review of the Disability Allowance, on behalf of the families we represent.”