The Social Democrats today outlined some of the key measures they would implement in government, including the appointment of a senior Disability Minister, as the party launched its disability policy.<\/p>\n
The policy was launched by Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns and Susan Doyle, a solicitor, disability rights advocate and general election candidate for the party in Cork North-Central.<\/p>\n
Deputy Cairns said:<\/p>\n
\u201cDisabled people face some of the greatest barriers to full participation in Irish society, from lack of employment opportunities to the absence of vital mobility schemes that were scrapped more than a decade ago but never replaced.<\/p>\n
\u201cThat is why the Social Democrats would put the principles of the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) at the centre of disability policy, which would lead to greatly improved outcomes for disabled people, their carers and their families.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe Government\u2019s belated, but welcome, decision to ratify the optional protocol of the UNCRPD will hopefully mark a turning point. Once signed, it will allow disabled people to make a complaint to the UN and hold the Irish State accountable if their rights are breached.<\/p>\n
\u201cDisabled people consistently have among the highest poverty rates of any group in Ireland \u2013 three times that of the general population \u2013 while more than two in five disabled people are experiencing deprivation at any one time. Despite this, the ESRI has warned that this month\u2019s budget is likely to increase poverty levels among people with disabilities.<\/p>\n
\u201cThe measures outlined in our policy document today are aimed at giving disabled people and disabled persons\u2019 organisations a voice at the heart of government. The appointment of a full Minister for Disability would be a progressive step towards achieving this.<\/p>\n
\u201cYou only need to look to the recent budget for proof that the political will to support disabled people is not there, which is why we believe this issue needs the weight of a senior minister. This will be a dealbreaker for the Social Democrats in any government formation talks after the general election.\u201d<\/p>\n
Susan Doyle said:<\/p>\n
\u201cSince qualifying as a solicitor over 12 years ago, I have been advocating for the rights of people with disabilities. My involvement with Inclusion Ireland helped inform my work in this area and was instrumental in my decision to open my own rights-based legal practice.<\/p>\n
\u201cWe must see policy change at a level set out by the Social Democrats today. There needs to be massive investment in disability services and a shift to a rights-based approach. This means measures like making multi-annual funding the norm for the disability sector and introducing a weekly cost of disability payment.<\/p>\n
\u201cProper oversight of the sector is also important. Our policy proposes the establishment of new bodies to monitor and regulate the implementation of services for disabled people, including a Disability inspectorate, a Disability Ombudsman and a Disability Authority.\u201d<\/p>\n