December 2010

 

No Croke Park Agreement for people with disabilities

– no reprieve as social welfare allowances hit again

 

People with a disability have been hit as an easy target in today’s Budget, as Disability Allowance falls again, says Inclusion Ireland. Today’s cut means people on Disability Allowance are down €847.60 a year since 2008.

Inclusion Ireland rejects cuts to people on Disability Allowance and Carers Allowance, as an attack on the direct living standards and the quality of life of people with disabilities and their families.

An €8 weekly cut to Disability Allowance was announced today. This is on top of an €8.30 cut last year, amounting to €16.30 a week in just two years - from €204.30 in 2008 to €188 announced today. It has been proven time and time again that there are extra costs associated with having a disability.

Carers Allowance is also down, with cuts of €16.50 per week on the 2008 rate (down from €220.50 a week in 2008 to new rate of €204 announced today).

These cuts are at variance with the National Disability Strategy, which is often spoken about by Government as evidence of their commitment to people with disabilities.

ENDS

 

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