Protests over the level of services for those with mental and intellectual disabilities provided an embarrassing backdrop for the Taoiseach in Dublin today as he launched the European Year of People with Disabilities.
About 100 demonstrators gathered outside the Mansion House as representatives from many disability groups heard Mr Ahern announce an extra €500,000 in funding for education and care services.
But outside the families complained of a funding freeze for the development of services that have, in the words of one protester, "created appalling hardship for families".
The protest involved the National Association for Mentally Handicapped in Ireland (NAMHI), the National Parents' and Siblings' Alliance, the Irish Autism Alliance and members of the National Federation of Voluntary Bodies.
Ms Deirdre Carroll of NAMHI told ireland.coman investment of €20 million was needed immediately and a commitment to further investment in the years ahead.
"No new money has been given which for us in effect is a cutback," Ms Carroll said, promising a prolonged campaign to draw attention to the issue.
She said the problem of school-leavers having nowhere to go after the leaving Cert was particularly acute and put enormous pressure on parents. She also said there was no provision" for the emergencies that inevitably arise".
"This is about political priorities. €20 million is not alot of money, we are not a poor country," she said.
Speaking at today's launch, the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children Mr Tim O'Malley said the Government was committed to investment in services for people with disabilities.
He said funding had been increased by €23 million since 1997, which "has enabled substantial progress to be made with regard to the development of residential, respite, day, therapy and other services and has greatly increased the quality and quantity of the services which are available."
A database is being compiled by the Department in conjunction with the Health Research Board, health boards and voluntary organisations to help in hte planning of future provision, he said.
"When the database is complete it will provide a comprehensive planning tool for the Department and the health boards to identify accurately the level of investment required to plan and deliver health services in an effective and efficient manner."
Today's action was supported by Opposition parties and follows the revelation that patients at a Co Louth residential centre for people with intellectual and mental disabilities receive inadequate care - leading to the patients routinely being kept in straitjackets and locked up because of inadequate staff levels.
A report by English experts, 1066 Consultancy and Healthcare Consultancy, said 100 more staff were needed at St Mary's, Drumcar, because the welfare of both staff and patients is in danger. It also criticised the practice of admitting children to an institution that housed "very unpredictable and violent women".