UN CRPD in Force; Roll on the ‘immediate, present and concrete’ benefits for people with disabilities.

In explaining the reasons for delay in ratifying the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, UN CRPD Minister Finian McGrath, TD said that:

‘systems had to be put in place, so that once ratified, the benefits for the disabled would be immediate, present and concrete.’[1]

Today, the 19th April 2018 the UN CRPD enters into force in Ireland. We look forward to these ‘immediate, present and concrete’ benefits for people with disabilities.

Right now:

• 26.3% of adults with a disability live in consistent poverty.[2]
• Funding for disability services was cut by 9.4% between 2008-2015; not enough money is being spent to support people to live independently in their communities.[3]
• Only 0.3% of all people with disabilities get a Personal Assistant Service. Personal Assistant Services enable people to live and take part in their communities.[4]
• There could be up to 15,300 people needing but not receiving the mobility allowance.[5]

DFI expects extra disability funding in Budget 2019 to improve the lives of people with disabilities.

[1] Irish Independent, 16th March 2018

[2] ESRI 2018 examination of SILC

[3] HSE Disability Allocations

[4] HSE NSP 2018

[5] Minister Finian McGrath, TD, https://www.kildarestreet.com/committees/?gid=2017-10-11a.20