More than 400 people with disabilities are set to miss out on a payment of €31.80 a week following the decision to scrap the rehabilitative training allowance.
The payment was introduced in 2001 when Micheál Martin was Minister for Health.
“It is very discouraging that the government would let this important and comparatively inexpensive scheme be scrapped.
The allowance is designed to help people with disabilities develop life, social and basic work skills so that further education and employment options are more accessible to them. This programme is seen as a stepping stone for people with disabilities and it gives them a confidence boost and a familiarity with a workplace setting”, said Fianna Fáil Spokesperson on Disability, Margaret Murphy O’Mahony.
“Minister Finian McGrath claims that the money that would have been spent on the bonus, estimated at approximately €3.7 million over four years, will be redirected to address unmet need in day service provision for people with disabilities.
“I cannot understand how the Minister with responsibility for Disability can believe that robbing Peter to pay Paul is an appropriate way to help people with disabilities. He should instead be seeking additional funding to properly resource day service provision.
“We all know that the disability sector is already experiencing serious financial problems – a recent Oireachtas Health Committee meeting was told that disability services across the country are dealing with a deficit of around €30m.
“This decision is thoughtless and harsh.
It will affect the most vulnerable the most – and the savings will be minimal.
I acknowledge that the HSE has to operate within its budget but given the funding crisis in disability services, it is critical that we do not exacerbate that further”, concluded Deputy Murphy O’Mahony.
