2007 Pre Budget Submission

Issued on October 3 2007

Significant Commitments Demand Significant Delivery

I. INCOME

Cost of Disability Payment

  • Government to introduce a Cost of Disability Payment of €40 per week for people with disabilities currently in receipt of means tested social welfare payments. This payment should commence in Budget 2007.

Disability Allowance

  • Government to increase Disability Allowance by €20 per week to €185.80 in Budget 2007 and maintain the commitment to sustained increases in line with the cost of living going forward.

II. CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

Community Employment as a Health Anomaly

  • Government to begin the mainstreaming of the 1,651 participants and 100 supervisors on those specific CE Schemes which provide services to people with disabilities by allocating an initial €5m in Budget 2007 with the remainder to be allocated over the next two Budgets.

Accommodation and Services for People who Experience Mental Illness

  • Implementation of the recommendations of 'A Vision for Change' and funding of the commitments made towards accommodation for people with mental illness in 'Towards 2016'. This should take place on an incremental basis through the allocation of €90m in Budget 2007, relating to both capital and current expenditure.

Adults with Significant Disabilities and Acquired Brain Injury

  • Government to invest €50m to address the residential needs of adults with significant disabilities who are inappropriately accommodated at present.
  • Government to invest €25m in Budget 2007 in home support, respite care, personal assistance and day care places for adults with significant disabilities.

Disabled Person's Grant

  • Government to increase the overall allocation to DPG by €35m to €105m.
  • Government to amend the Grant Scheme so that the full cost of the necessary adaptations are funded.

Children as Carers to People with Disabilities.

Government to invest an additional €20m in supports and services to people with disabilities to reduce the caring role of children.

III. CAPACITY BUILDING

Funding for Voluntary Disability Organisations

Government to invest €5m in Budget 2007 in line with commitments to the C&V Sector in 'Towards 2016' and continue this line of investment in subsequent Budgets.

1. INTRODUCTION

Budget 2007 provides this Government with the final opportunity to deliver its outstanding commitments in the Agreed Programme for Government 2002-2006.

In Budget 2005 the Government committed to sustained investment in the disability sector through the National Disability Strategy and multi annual funding packages. Budget 2007 also represents an opportunity for Government to invest in the commitments made in the National Disability Strategy and more recently in 'Towards 2016'.

In recent Pre Budget Submissions DFI has consistently pursued a number of key issues which can make a significant difference in the everyday lives of people with disabilities. We have continued to advocate around these issues and have been consistent in our resolve to bring them to the attention of Government at all opportunities. While recognising the significant commitments made in 'Towards 2016', DFI again pursues these issues in Budget 2007.

DFI acknowledges that substantial resources have been made available to disability services and supports. The launch of the National Disability Strategy in 2004, and the provision of multiannual funding packages have all been hailed as remarkable steps forward. Maximising the outcomes from these resources is the primary issue.

At the launch of the Sectoral Plans on July 21st 2006, Minister Cowen reiterated the commitment of the Government to the disability sector

"I can... confirm that it is the Government's intention to continue to prioritise the needs of disabled persons."1

Significant commitments have been made by this Government to the National Disability Strategy as recently set out in 'Towards 2016'. This Budget is the first opportunity for Government to give practical expression of these commitments through delivery.

1 Remarks by Minister for Finance, Brian Cowen TD, on the launch of the Sectoral Disability Plans 21 July 2006 Page 2

2. BUDGET ISSUES

I. INCOME

Cost of Disability Payment DFI calls on the Government to introduce a Cost of Disability Payment scheme in Budget 2007. It is recognised nationally and internationally that people with disabilities incur many extra, but ordinary, costs such as food, heating and clothing as a result of their disability. This matter was identified by both the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities2 and the National Economic and Social Forum (NESF)3 and they both recommended this payment.

The Cost of Disability issue has been on the social partnership agenda since the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness (2000), and has been a feature of many DFI submissions to Government. It is important that, two Agreements and six Budgets on, there is movement on this issue. DFI believes that the transfer of functions from the Department of Health and Children to the Department of Social and Family Affairs offers the Government a genuine opportunity to deliver on this commitment.

As a result of a commitment in the "Programme for Prosperity and Fairness", an Interdepartmental Working Group was set up in 2000 to examine the feasibility of introducing a Cost of Disability Payment Scheme. As part of this process, the National Disability Authority also commissioned and published research on this issue in 2004. The findings of this research "Disability and the Cost of Living" 4, is based on international evidence and suggests that the extra cost of living imposed by a disability was approximately €40 5 per week at that time.

A Cost of Disability Payment in line with the recommendations of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, NESF and NDA Reports would not only alleviate the problem of deprivation and poverty, but address issues such as equality and participation. DFI calls on Government to commence the introduction of a Cost of Disability Payment of €40 per week in Budget 2007 for people with disabilities currently in receipt of social welfare means tested payments.

DFI Recommends: Government to introduce a Cost of Disability Payment of €40 per week for people with disabilities tested social welfare payments. This payment should commence in Budget 2007.

2 'Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, A Strategy for Equality',1996 Ch. 6, Income and Disability 6.12. 3 'Income Maintenance Strategies' Report No 5 NESF 1994. 4 'A Review of International Findings in Disability and the Cost of Living' (2004) suggests the extra cost of disability for people with mild disabilities should be no more than €40 per week, and for people with severe disabilities no less than €40. 5 This figure was arrived at in 2005.

Disability Allowance Disability Allowance (DA) is an income support payment for people with disabilities. Despite a buoyant economy and a tight labour market the levels of unemployment among people with disabilities remains high. According to the QNHS 2004 (Quarterly National Household Survey),

"62.9% of people with disabilities are not in employment".

A recent ESRI report indicated that 37.5% of those who were ill or disabled were at risk of poverty, 13.2% were experiencing basic deprivation and 7.4% were consistently poor. These rates are more than twice those for the general population.

Despite a number of projects and initiatives it is clear that there are still significant barriers preventing people with disabilities from accessing the labour market.

Government must equally ensure that people with disabilities who are dependent on DA are not living in poverty due to additional demands on their income. Increases in the cost of living since 2004 also affect household expenditure including food, clothing, transport and utilities.

We acknowledge the increase in Disability Allowance by €17 to €165.80 in Budget 2006. However, we urge Government to maintain its commitment to the most vulnerable people with disabilities by increasing Disability Allowance by €20 per week to €185.50 in Budget 2007.

DFI Recommends: Government to increase Disability Allowance by €20 per week to maintain the commitment to sustained increases in line with the cost of living going forward.

6 According to the QNHS 2004 59.8% of people with disabilities are not economically active 3.1% of people with disabilities are unemployed, and 37.1% are in employment.7 'Disability and Social Inclusion', Gannon and Nolan, ESRI, Report commissioned by the Equality Authority and National Disability Authority 2005. 8 'Central Statistics Office Statistical Yearbook' 2005 Prices page 9 table 15.1 and Prices Comparison Table January to July 2006 9 The CORI Justice Commission calculated this figure in 2005:

"(since...) social welfare rates will be benchmarked to increases in average industrial wages from now on ... (to 30% of Gross Average Industrial Earnings (GAIE) in 2002.)... and should reach €185.80 by 2007. To honour this commitment the average increase in the minimum level of unemployment assistance across Budget 2006 and Budget 2007 must be €18.50 per week. We believe this should be paid as follows: €17 in Budget 2006 and €20 in Budget 2007."

II. CARE IN THE COMMUNITY

The Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children, Mary Harney TD, at the launch of the Department of Health and Children Sectoral Plan in July 2006 stated:

"The Department of Health and Children Sectoral Plan 10 represents a commitment at all levels of the health service to access and equity of service for people with disabilities. It is an important opportunity to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are considered in all health policy and service planning." 11

Properly resourced community services ensure that the challenges of care and support on families is lessened, freeing them to contribute to our community and society.

DFI is optimistic that the implementation of the National Disability Strategy will support the development of a better care infrastructure for people with disabilities in their own communities, but action needs to be taken in Budget 2007.

We do not make the case for investing in community services solely on moral or social grounds. It also makes sound economic sense. The Comptroller and Auditor General Report, 12 while highlighting some important lessons for both the statutory and voluntary sectors, found that the voluntary disability sector represents excellent value for money to the State and complements State services.

"Non profit organisations do not exist solely for the delivery of welfare services on behalf of the State. These organisations have arisen for a multiplicity of purposes, 13 (and).... in general the services provided by the non profit organisations and State system tend to differ in terms of type and range and so avoid any major duplication of provision". 14

DFI believes that investment in supports and services for people with disabilities are often viewed merely in the context of a cost to the Exchequer. This ignores the fact that investment in an infrastructure of care for people with disabilities not only benefits the individual recipient in the short term, it also benefits the person and the State in the longer term.

10 'The Department of Health and Children Sectoral Plan' 2006. 11 Tánaiste Welcomes Health Sectoral Plan' Press Release Department of Health and Children July 21 2006. 12 The Comptroller and Auditor General Value for Money Report 52. 'The Provision of Disability Services By Non Profit Organisations' March 15th 2006. 13 Breen OB 'Report on the Public Consultation for the Department of Community Rural and Gaeltacht Affairs' 2004 in Comptroller & Auditor General Value for Money Report 52 'The Provision of Disability Services by Non profit Organisations.' December 2005 Page 19. 14 Ibid. Page 23.

Community Employment as a Health Anomaly Disability services have had a long- term dependence upon an active labour market programme, namely the Community Employment Programme, to provide essential health services. This dependence goes back over two decades and progressed through Teamwork, Social Employment Schemes and, later, Community Employment. Through these Schemes community based supports and services were developed and expanded.

Community Employment (CE) participants are mainly employed in the following roles in the provision of services to people with disabilities:

  • Care Assistants in residential homes
  • Essential care services in the Community
  • Care Assistants in day care and training centres
  • General Staff for centres
  • Drivers
  • Personal Assistants

It must be emphasised that all of these personal social services are very basic and essential services. For many people these were, and are, their only support service and form a lifeline for both people with disabilities and their families.

The Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health has also made recommendations to Government to ensure that essential health services are fully funded through the health system, the most recent recommendation having been made in October 2005. 15

In 'Towards 2016', Government commits to addressing issues of this nature through the following commitment:

"In its consideration of the core funding requirements of agencies providing services for people with disabilities, the Health Service Executive will be asked to take into account the appropriateness of core funding essential health and personal social services." 16

DFI urges Government to remove the inequity of the existing situation where people in an active labour market programme are providing core health and personal social services, to some people, while other people with disabilities have the same service securely and properly funded and planned for through the HSE.

15 DFI and IWA made a submission to the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children in 2005 on this issue. The JOC HC subsequently made recommendations to Government. The submission is entitled: 'Disability Federation of Ireland / Irish Wheelchair Association, Submission to Joint Oireachtas Committee on Health and Children, Mainstreaming Services provided to People with Disabilities through Community Employment' August 2005. The Chair of the JOC HC has written to the Minister for Finance in October 2005 to support the DFI/ IWA Submission and to recommend that the proposals in this Submission be implemented. 16 'Towards 2016' 33.3 Page 67.

In 2005, DFI identified 1,651 CE participants and 100 Supervisors providing services to people with disabilities. DFI estimated that the cost of mainstreaming these positions into mainstream health services is just over €34m. We further estimated that the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment and FÁS was investing €22.8m in these specific schemes, leaving a deficit of €11.2m. 17

DFI Recommends: Government to begin the mainstreaming of the 1,651 participants and 100 supervisors on those specific CE Schemes which provide services to people with disabilities by allocating an initial €5m in Budget 2007 with the remainder to be allocated over the next two Budgets.

Accommodation and Services for People who Experience Mental Illness

Having access to a range of accommodation options would enable people who experience mental illness to live in the community and decrease their need to stay long-term in hospital or acute units. The lack of sufficient community-based services and accommodation is resulting in significant numbers of people who experience mental illness either living long-term in mental health hospitals or being forced to remain in the family home beyond a time of their choosing.

The recently published 'A Vision for Change', the Report of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy recommends

"A programme of capital and non capital investment in mental health services ....should be implemented in a phased way over the next seven to ten years, in parallel with the reorganisation of mental health services...(and) ..The full economic value of psychiatric hospital buildings and land should be professionally assessed and realised." 18

The Report recommends implementation over the next 7 to 10 years, within the lifetime of 'Towards 2016'. 19 The Report acknowledges that this will lead to the establishment of "a high-quality community-based mental health service in accordance with the recommendations".

17 These figures were compiled in 2005. 18 Expert Group on Mental Health Policy 'A Vision for Change' 2006 Recommendations 17.1-17.7.19 The Expert Group recommends implementation over the next 7 to 10 years, within the lifetime of 'Towards 2016', and estimates costs at €900m over that period with 8.24% of non capital health funding based on 2005 figures.

DFI calls on Government to end this situation for those who are long stay residents in psychiatric hospitals and units, by implementing the recommendations of the Expert Group on Mental Health Policy and funding the commitments made to mental health in 'Towards 2016' and the National Disability Strategy.

DFI Recommends: Implementation of the recommendations of 'A Vision for Change' and funding of the commitments made towards accommodation for people with mental illness in 'Towards 2016'. This should take place on an incremental basis through the allocation of €90m in Budget 2007, relating to both capital and current expenditure.

Adults with Significant Disabilities & Acquired

Brain Injury Adults with Significant Disabilities refers to people aged between 18 and 65 who have either been born with or acquired a significant disability. This group includes people with a progressive neurological condition and / or those who have an acquired brain injury. A significant disability can be characterised by a set of complex needs that are persistent or episodic and long-term in nature.

The lack of appropriate accommodation for this group in the community means that many of these people end up in inappropriate settings, such as acute hospitals and nursing homes for older people. A substantial number of adults with significant disabilities living in the community are residing with their families, who experience enormous pressure due to the limited support available to them. The Department of Health and Children have identified approximately 2,000 people with significant disabilities nationally who are awaiting appropriate accommodation. 20

This group also require significant complementary services such as home support, specialist, respite and day services. In the National Health Strategy, 21 the Government committed itself to a "Programme of Investment" to enhance

"home support services, respite care, day care places, residential care including additional places for people with chronic conditions, other multi- disciplinary support services and Aids and Appliances".

DFI has consistently advised that the residential needs of adults with significant disabilities cannot be addressed in isolation from other support needs such as home support, respite care, personal assistance and day care places. It is significant that both this group and the attendant range of support needs are specifically mentioned in 'Towards 2016'.

While appreciating the 80 placements committed to through additional funding in Budget 2006, DFI continues to pursue the linking of residential placement with the supports necessary for daily living.

<pDFI Recommends: Government to invest €50m to address the residential needs of adults with significant disabilities who are inappropriately accommodated at present.

Government to invest €25m in Budget 2007 in home support, respite care, personal assistance and day care places for adults with significant disabilities.

Disabled Person's Grant (DPG) When a person with a disability signals the need to alter his / her home it is usually because the residence is already inadequate to facilitate one or more of the most basic human needs such as physical accessibility, use of washing / toilet facilities, inadequate facilities to prepare food or to sleep. Adaptations are not lifestyle choices for people with disabilities; they are basic necessities which also support people with disabilities to continue to live in their own homes.

The Disabled Person's Grant (DPG) was established to make such alterations possible with the least financial burden being placed on people with disabilities and their families.

However, DPG is not effective in its current state in achieving this objective and as a result many people with disabilities continue to be trapped in unsuitable, inaccessible and potentially dangerous homes.

There are two key problems with the Scheme.

  • Local Authorities have to find 33% of this Grant from their own budgets, and as a result many are having difficulties in funding even the most straightforward cases.
  • Local Authorities can only contribute up to a maximum of 90% of the cost of the adaptations to a maximum of €20,320. 23 In many cases they contribute a lot less than 90%. The maximum limit does not take into account the real cost of building work, which has spiralled in recent years and the fact that many people with disabilities are already dependant on social welfare. We are calling on the Government to cover 100% of the full costs of the adaptations.

On April 1st 2003 Minister of State, Noel Ahern TD, announced:

"The operation of the Disabled Person's Grant Scheme is at present under review in my Department. On completion of the review, which I envisage being finalised in the next few months, I will be in a position to determine the changes, if any, required to the regulations governing the scheme."

Despite numerous commitments that this Review would be finalised in recent years, it is still not officially completed or published. While we acknowledge that increased funding has been allocated to the Scheme, we believe that it must be reformed, not reinforced in its present state, as it no longer meets the needs of all people with disabilities.

To overcome these problems, DFI calls on the Government to finalise and publish the Review and to engage with DFI and other disability organisations with a view to reforming the DPG along the lines proposed in this Submission, so that it meets the needs of people with disabilities.

DFI Recommends: Government to increase the overall allocation to DPG by Government to amend the Grant Scheme so that the full cost of the necessary adaptations are with Disabilities At present there are no definitive statistics on the number of child carers in Ireland. From Census 2002 it is clear that 2,996 young people between the ages of fifteen and seventeen were caring for a family member.

In 'Towards 2016' Government has committed to undertake a study into the extent and impact on children of this practice.

"Based on the outcome of this study and an analysis of the issues identified, a programme of in-home supports will be developed to alleviate specific problem areas identified for children."27

Children as Carers to People

DFI welcomes this commitment. While examination of the extent of the issue is a vital step to resolving this, it is worth noting why children have emerged as carers in the first place. Inadequate funding for community and support services over the years has resulted in people with disabilities having no option but to rely on their children for basic care needs. Many children under the age of eighteen, some as young as seven, are carrying out, often on a regular basis, significant caring tasks and are assuming a level of responsibility more normally associated with adulthood. These tasks include:

  • Children giving general care such as assisting with mobility and dispensing medication
  • Children performing a range of intimate care tasks, such as toileting and bathing
  • Children undertaking a range of domestic tasks and trying to provide emotional support

DFI wants to promote a solution which acknowledges the rights of the child, without undermining the rights of the person with the disability. Therefore, the Government must adopt an holistic approach to this issue, which addresses the support needs of the child and the caring needs of the person with a disability.

DFI Recommends: Government to invest an additional €20m in supports and services to people with disabilities to reduce the caring role of children.

III. CAPACITY BUILDING

Funding for Voluntary Disability

Organisations In 'Towards 2016' Government committed to strengthening the relationship between the State and the C&V sector by ..

"maximising the contribution of the C&V Sector by deepening the partnership between statutory bodies and voluntary and community organisations."

Through this commitment Government recognises that community and voluntary activity forms the very core of a vibrant and inclusive society and adds that

"The great strength of voluntary activity is that it emerges organically from communities."

While voluntary disability organisations continue to be the primary providers of a range of services and supports for people with disabilities, they also play a valuable role in promoting equality, active citizenship and participation. They do this by working directly with, and for, people with disabilities in building their personal skills and confidence, so that they can reach their potential and achieve the optimum standard and quality of life.

Many voluntary disability groups find themselves in a difficult situation when it comes to supporting the development of their organisations.

"Community and voluntary organisations need to undertake staff training, management training and development, service evaluation and organisational reviews. These require resources".

In 'Towards 2016', Government has committed to address this issue by improving the resourcing of the sector. DFI welcomes this progress and urges Government to implement its commitment to

"resourcing the sector into the future as part of this agreement...and the... principle of providing multi-annual statutory funding"

DFI Recommends: Government to invest €5m in Budget 2007 in line with commitments to the C&V Sector in 'Towards 2016' and continue this line of investment in subsequent Budgets.

3. CONCLUSION

The commitments in the National Disability Strategy, as recently expressed in 'Towards 2016', change the context in which we approach each annual Budget. There are two reasons for this. Firstly, there needs to be a rolling programme of resourcing over the next decade and the Budget provides the annual benchmark to progress this. Secondly, all of us, Government, people with disabilities and society in general, share an expectation of delivery based on the National Disability Strategy commitments.

Government, on our behalf, has embarked on a massive, but necessary, national project, namely to ensure that those of us who are disabled have the opportunity to live a full life as part of the everyday community, where we can equally enjoy the benefits of public services.

DFI has consistently raised the issues which again feature in this Pre Budget Submission. These are practical matters which, if addressed in this Budget, will, firstly, give an early and strong boost to the quality of life directly for upwards of 100,000 people. Secondly, there will be a sense of confidence that the implementation of the National Disability Strategy is at the top of the Government's delivery agenda.

There is an understandable tendency for Government to reference how much more money is going into disability, in contrast to what happened in the past, without acknowledging the massive level of unmet needs that exist. To succumb to that tendency is completely unacceptable to the disability community. Surely we carry enough burdens without feeling guilty that we are a drain on the State? Yes, the Strategy will cost money. However, the Strategy is for Ireland, not only for its disabled people. It is about Ireland acknowledging that it wronged disabled people through their exclusion from mainstream participation. To date, disabled people and their families have paid the price.

DISABILITY FEDERATION OF IRELAND

Supporting Organisations to Enable People with Disabilites An Advocate for the Voluntary Disability Sector

Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) is the national support organisation and advocate for voluntary disability organisations in Ireland who provide services to people with disabilities and disabling conditions.

  • Hidden
  • Intellectual
  • Mental Health
  • Physical
  • Sensory
  • Emotional

Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) works to ensure that Irish society is fully inclusive of people with disabilities and disabling conditions so that they can exercise fully their civil, social and human rights. In pursuit of this vision:

  • DFI acts as an advocate for the voluntary disability sector.
  • Supports organisations to further enable people with disabilities

DFI represents and supports over 150 voluntary disability organisations and groups of which 72 comprise its National Council, and 31 of which are Associate Members. Allied to this, it works with and supports over 200 organisations and groups around the country that have a significant

and growing disability interest, mainly coming from the statutory and voluntary sectors. DFI provides:

  • Information
  • Training and Support
  • Organisation and Management Development
  • Research and Policy Development
  • Advocacy and Representation
  • Networking

DFI also supports the broader voluntary and disability sector through its representation of the disability strand with the Community and Voluntary pillar of the Social Partnership process, as a social partner at the National Economic and Social Forum, Health Board Co- ordinating Committees and other fora at regional, national and European level.

Disability Federation of Ireland Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8

Tel: 01-4547978 Fax: 01-4547981 Email: info@disability-federation.ie Web: www.disability-federation.ie

NATIONAL COUNCIL AND ASSOCIATE MEMBERSHIP 2006

  • Action for Mobility
  • Centre for Independent Living Cork*
  • AHEAD
  • Centre for Independent Living Dublin 7*
  • Alzheimer Society of Ireland
  • Anne Sullivan Centre*
  • APT
  • Centre for Independent Living Offaly*
  • Arklow Disability Action Group*
  • Arthritis Ireland
  • ASPIRE
  • Asthma Society of Ireland
  • AWARE
  • BIH Housing Association
  • Bodywhys*
  • Brainwave
  • BRÍ
  • Care Alliance*
  • Care Local*
  • Caring and Sharing Association
  • Center for Independent Living
  • Central Remedial Clinic
  • DEBRA Ireland
  • Centre for Independent Living Blanchardstown*
  • Diabetes Federation of Ireland Southern Regional Office*
  • Centre for Independent Living Carlow*
  • Centre for Independent Living Sligo*
  • Centre for Independent Living Tipperary
  • Centre for Independent Living Waterford*
  • Centre for Independent Living Wexford*
  • Cheeverstown House
  • Cheshire Ireland*
  • Children in Hospital Ireland*
  • COPE Foundation
  • Cork Accessible Transport*
  • Co. Roscommon Support Group for People with Disabilities
  • Disabled Drivers Association
  • Irish Association for Spina Bifida and Hydrocephalus
  • Disabled People of Clare
  • Irish Deaf Society
  • Doorway to Life
  • Irish Guide Dogs for the Blind
  • Down Syndrome Ireland
  • Irish Haemophilia Society
  • Dyslexia Association of Ireland
  • Irish Kidney Association
  • Dyspraxia Association of Ireland*
  • Irish Motor Neurone Disease Association
  • Enable Ireland
  • Féach*
  • Fibromyalgia Support Group (Midlands)*
  • Fighting Blindness
  • Focus Ireland
  • Freidreich's Ataxia Society of Ireland
  • Galway County Association for Mentally Handicapped Children*
  • Genetic & Inherited Disorders Organisation
  • HAIL Housing
  • Headway Ireland
  • Heart Children Ireland*
  • Irish Raynaud's & Scleroderma Society
  • Irish Society for Autism
  • Irish Wheelchair Association
  • Jack and Jill Children's Foundation
  • KARE
  • Leitrim Association of People with Disabilities
  • Lucan Disability Action Group*
  • National Association for Deaf People
  • Huntington's Disease Association of Ireland
  • National Council for the Blind of Ireland
  • Institute for Disability and Senior Citizens Ltd.*
  • National Federation of Arch Clubs
  • Neurofibromatosis Association of Ireland
  • Sophia Housing Association
  • Special Olympics Ireland
  • Noinin Support for Autism*
  • Spinal Injuries Ireland
  • North West MS Therapy Centre
  • St. Catherine's Association
  • Out and About Association*
  • Parkinsons Association of Ireland
  • Peacehaven Trust*
  • Peter Bradley Foundation*
  • Post Polio Support Group
  • Rathmines Community Partnership*
  • Reach Ireland
  • Rehab Group
  • Royal Hospital Donnybrook
  • Schizophrenia Ireland
  • Shannon Community Workshops
  • St. Gabriel's School and Centre
  • St. Mary's Hospital & Residential School
  • St. Michael's House
  • Vantastic
  • Vergemount Housing Fellowship
  • Walkinstown Association
  • West Limerick Community Workshop
  • Western Care Association

* Associate Members

Disability Federation of Ireland Fumbally Court, Fumbally Lane, Dublin 8

Tel: 01-4547978 Fax: 01-4547981 Email: info@disability-federation.ie Web: www.disability-federation.ie