12 June 2003 Edition
Disabilities protest outside Leinster House
Sinn Féin Dáil Health spokesperson Caoimhghin Ó Caoláin TD stated his support for the protest outside Leinster House on Tuesday by groups representing people with disabilities.
"It is disgraceful that yet again people with disabilities have to demonstrate outside Leinster House because of the failure of this government to keep their promises," he said. "The Programme for Government promised to 'complete the programme of expansion of appropriate care places for people with disabilities'. Instead, funding for people with intellectual disabilities has been cut, existing care places cannot be maintained and the promised Disability Bill has not been published. On the eve of the Special Olympics, this is a shameful record for the government in the face of the international community."
"It is disgraceful that yet again people with disabilities have to demonstrate outside Leinster House because of the failure of this government to keep their promises," he said. "The Programme for Government promised to 'complete the programme of expansion of appropriate care places for people with disabilities'. Instead, funding for people with intellectual disabilities has been cut, existing care places cannot be maintained and the promised Disability Bill has not been published. On the eve of the Special Olympics, this is a shameful record for the government in the face of the international community."