18/09/2015

Govt Must Support Aims Of People With Disabilities - Labour

The government must support people with disabilities in their campaign to move towards independent living with greater access to the workforce, Labour TD Robert Dowds has said.

Deputy Dowds said that he fully supported the key tasks of the AT Network, Centre for Independent Living and Inclusion Ireland, including:

• To identify a lead Minister from the Department of Social Protection or Jobs, Enterprise and Innovation for key responsibility for the employment strategy of people with disability. 

• Allow those in receipt of a disability payment access to all employment activation programmes.

The Labour TD added that in order to fund these moves, it would be "worthwhile to examine the current spending on disability services and determine where savings can be made" and that he would contact Labour Leader, Joan Burton T.D to ensure the government starts working more effectively to achieve these aims.

(MH/CD)

Related Irish News Stories
Click here for the latest headlines.

03 June 2015
Former Labour Leader Not Seeking Election Nomination
Former Labour leader Eamon Gilmore has announced he is not seeking a nomination as a candidate for the next General Election. In a statement Mr Gilmore said: "It has been an honour to represent the people of Dun Laoghaire for the past 30 years and I am also informing members of the Labour Party, in my constituency of my decision.
11 November 2010
Elderly Care Slammed By Ombudsman
The care of older people has been in focus across the UK and Ireland this week - with dramatically different outcomes in the two states.
01 May 2019
Labour Highlight 'Long-Standing Internationalist Values'
Labour Party Brendan Howlin has marked Labour Day, 01 May, by restating his party's "long-standing internationalist values". Brendan Howlin TD pledged to support the future Irish-British relationship, through links with the British Labour Party, whether inside or outside of the European Union.
21 September 2011
Disabled More Likely To Face Poverty
People with disabilities are more likely to live in poverty and face exclusion, it has been revealed. A new report on the social and living conditions of people with disabilities has shown that disability has multiple and reciprocal effects on people’s lifestyles.
15 January 2015
Labour Welcomes Poll Showing Support For Marriage Equality
A new poll has revealed that up to 80% of people support same-sex marriage, Labour Party TD and Co-Chair of Labour LGBT, John Lyons, has said. Highlighting the Red C/Paddy Power poll, Mr Lyons said: "(The) poll builds upon consecutive national polls which show consistent support to afford gay and lesbian couples the right to civil marriage.