Families expose major flaws in system supposed to help people with disabilities

Among the topics discussed at the public meeting in Mulvany's pub, Dunboyne last Tuesday night, was the fact that Ireland has not signed up the UN Optional Protocol to protect disability rights which means that the government legally can't be held accountable on its failure to provide services to those with disabilities.

The Disability Act of 2005 doesn't oblige the government to provide services, because large sections of it were never enacted meaning parents can't sue domestically, while the Optional Protocol is why parents can't sue in international court.

Also discussed were the number of vacancies in the Disability Network for Meath and Louth, for example there has been a vacancy for a paediatric psychiatrist for over 14 years.

Parents in attendance were vocal in demanding action on the long waiting lists for assessment and services, such as respite for children and adults, speech and language service, occupational therapy service, psychology services, physiotherapy service, paediatric psychiatry, suggesting that more therapists need to be trained in order to fill vacancies along with more equitable pay and conditions for those working in the disability services.

One mother, Assumpta Kelly, spoke powerfully about her ongoing fight for basic services for her child, from childhood and now into adulthood for the past 23 years while another parent, told the meeting that her child had only received their diagnosis of Autism that day and how she feared she would be sitting in another meeting in 20 years time, again for the same concerns.

Parents spoke of their anger and frustrations at the ongoing complete lack of accountability from the HSE and governments past and present.

TDs were asked to come back in a week's time with up-to-date figures of vacancies in the Disability Network for Meath and Louth. Another meeting of this group will be scheduled for approximately two months time.