Inclusion Ireland welcomes Budget announcement on standards and inspection in disability services

Inclusion Ireland welcomes the commitment announced by Disability Minister John Moloney to bring forward proposals to Government in early 2010 in respect of the protection of adults with disabilities who are in disability services funded by the State.

Inclusion Ireland has campaign strongly for statutory standards in all disability services and was deeply disappointed in June 2009 when it was announced that standards for adults developed by HIQA, were only to be brought in on a voluntary basis, and there would be no inspection of services.

Inclusion Ireland also welcomes the announcement that funding will be provided  for an independent registration and inspection system for all residential services provided for children with disabilities. Nearly 4000 children with a disability currently reside in uninspected unregulated State funded services.

Inclusion Ireland has been calling for the introduction of national standards and inspection of residential centres and community homes for children and adults with disabilities since the mid-1990s. Children and adults with disabilities are very vulnerable and are particularly at risk of abuse and neglect.

ENDS

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