THE Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI), frustrated by promises and delays, is to increase pressure on politicians and is demanding £50 million in extra State funding spread over the next five years.
Its 38 member organisations have been advised to lobby TDs at their weekly clinics, particularly the Limerick clinic of the Minister for Health, Mr Noonan.
DFI's chief executive, Mr Roger Acton, convened a "crisis" meeting of voluntary organisations in Dublin yesterday. He said the members feel strongly that services have at best stood still and, in many instances, regressed in recent years due to a lack of commitment by successive governments.
"It is meaningless for Government to advocate equality measures without recognising the fact that funding is needed to enable services to be put in place which will allow for the vindication of equal rights for people with disabilities", Mr Acton said.
The meeting heard that a review group was established in 1992 by the Minister for Health to examine services for people with physical and sensory disability. An interim report and several draft reports have been published, but the DFI says that after four years of "delay and procrastination" there is still no sign of the promised final report.
A spokeswoman for the Department said yesterday it had been waiting from reaction to the proposals from the voluntary organisations and the final reaction had only been received last Friday. The Minister will now have to study all reactions from interested parties and then bring proposals to the Cabinet. The spokeswoman added that the Department still hoped to meet its target of publication of the final report before the end of the year.
Mr Acton said the issue now is not the publication of a final report in itself. "What is needed now and without any further delay is a commitment from the Department of Health for new funding for the sector on a phased band targeted basis over the next few years." A figure of £10 million in new funding each of the next five years would be realistic, according to Mr Acton.
He said many services are currently being provided through and are dependent on Community Employment Schemes and volunteers. "This is an abuse of those people and an insult to people with disability."
The meeting heard that the voluntary sector working with the disabled should be unified in sending a clear and strong message to the Minister for Health and his Department. "Organisations should encourage their members to lobby their TDs at their weekly clinics. Organisations with a presence in Limerick should target the Minister's clinic.
Mr Act on said the support of ICTU and IBEC should be sought for the issue to be included in any follow up agreement to the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
"The present Government has made many promises regarding services for the disabled. Next January's Budget will be their last chance to deliver on these promises before the next general election," Mr Acton warned.
The meeting called on Mr Noonan to respond urgently to the long awaited service needs of people with physical and sensory disabilities, including the provision of aids and appliances, home help and paramedical services.
A lobbying and publicity campaign in favour of these measures will be implemented immediately by all organisations who attended the meeting.