Inclusion Ireland Budget Submission 2024

As we enter the planning phase for Budget 2024, it is important to reflect on the real-world issues facing people with intellectual disabilities and their families.

People with intellectual disabilities have waited long enough to have their rights fulfilled, five years after Ireland ratified the United Nations Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities (UNCRPD).

Budget 2024 provides an opportunity to invest in people. Significant reports and strategies were published throughout 2021 and 2022 namely:

• The Cost of Disability Report
• The Disability Capacity Review
• The Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022-2027

 

As of yet, only one implementation plan has been published – The Housing Implementation Plan – which was published on the 22nd of June 2023. Without a plan we lurch from crisis to crisis, when what we need is to have creative and rights-based supports in place for people.

In putting together this submission we consulted with people with intellectual disabilities and their families. We received 615 responses to the survey: 115 were from people with intellectual disabilities, 252 were family members of disabled children and 228 were family members of disabled adults.

The top 3 priorities for people with intellectual disabilities are:

1. Housing and Independent Living Support
2. Money and the Cost of Disability
3. Employment and Training

Transport was also highlighted in the comments as one of the concerns for people.

The 3 top priorities for family members of a child with an intellectual disability are:

1. Access to Services
2. Education
3. Cost of Disability

 

The 3 top priorities for family members/supporters of an adult with an intellectual disability are:

1. Housing and Independent Living Support
2. Employment and Training
3. Access to Services

 

“Whatever funds are made available should be about advancing the human rights of people with intellectual disabilities as equal citizens. What is also clear is that creativity and a more radical view of support is required, the old ways simply do not work for people anymore.” – Derval McDonagh, CEO of Inclusion Ireland.

We need a budget which is focused on equality, human rights and belonging. We call on the Government to listen to the words of people echoed throughout this budget submission and to respond by putting forward a budget that acknowledges the right of people with intellectual disabilities to live equal, dignified lives into 2024.

You can access our full Budget Submission for 2024, our Survey Infographic and Accessible Information video at the below links:

• Inclusion Ireland Budget Submission 2024
• Budget 2024 Survey Infographic
• Budget Submission 2024 Information Video

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