In a development that seems to address persistent criticism by disability rights groups on delay in the resumption of support and care for people with disabilities, disrupted due to Covid-19, a €10 million in funding has been announced by the government in Ireland.
The funding announced by Minister for Health Stephen Donnelly and Minister of State Anne Rabbitte will support the resumption of daycare and enhanced home support services for people with disabilities and increase the number of days such services are provided.
The funding includes €7.5million to increase the level of day service provision and €2.5million to provide intensive support packages for 210 children and young people with complex/high support needs, to remain living with their families.
Ms. Rabbitte, who has responsibility for disability services, acknowledged there was “some way to go before disability services can be fully restored” because of the requirement to operate under public health guidelines.
But she said the funding will “increase day services by one day a week for over 14,000 adults,” and it was a step in the right direction towards full restoration of services.
“Through their innovation and flexibility, many of the much-needed services have resumed since the beginning of the Covid-19 pandemic,” Mr. Donnelly was quoted as saying in the Irish Times, paying tribute to the staff working in the sector.
