Public awareness of the needs of people with disabilities, and support for their cause, enjoyed a transformation during the course of the Special Olympic Games when more than 160 host towns and their communities welcomed athletes and their delegations.
That process finally affected Government yesterday when the Minister for Health, Mr Martin, announced that €50 million will be provided to meet the costs of emergency residential and day care for people with autism and intellectual disability, and to refurbish and re-equip existing care centres.
The disability sector, he said, had been prioritised by the Taoiseach, Mr Ahern, and the necessary funding would be found within the existing health budget. Isn't it amazing what a public boo can do? Seventeen months ago, this Coalition Government was forced to withdraw a Disability Bill from the Dáil which sought to prevent persons with disabilities from taking civil actions to vindicate their rights. And, less than two months ago, supporters of the Irish Wheelchair Association led a march on Leinster House to protest against the pending dismissal by FÁS of nearly 200 trained day-care workers at 46 centres throughout the State.
The position of those day-care workers has since been protected through the intervention of the Tánaiste, Ms Harney. And, following a statement by the Irish Human Rights Commission supporting a right to legal redress, Mr Ahern said the new Disability Bill will contain a right to sue the State for the provision of services, should other appeal mechanisms prove ineffectual. That legislation is due to be introduced in the autumn and will provide for an independent assessment of needs and for the allocation of services to people with disabilities.
The Minister for Education, Mr Dempsey, last week published a Bill to uphold the constitutional right of persons with disabilities to an education. The Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill is the Government's response to the high-profile cases of Jamie Sinnott and Paul O'Donoghue, whose rights were vindicated after their parents were forced to go to the courts two years ago. The Bill, responding to the special needs of about 55,000 children, will be debated in the autumn.
It may take up to five years to establish the necessary administrative structures. The Coalition Government is clearly getting its act together, following a dismal and distressing performance over many years. Yesterday's allocation by Mr Martin will help to provide residential and day care for almost 800 needy people. It is a good step forward.