Hilary Tonge (SD) who will contest the 2024 local elections in the Ennis Municipal District for the Social Democrats has voiced his dissatisfaction with what she dubbed a “cynical” delay. “The Green Paper categorises people with disabilities based on their potential economic output. This is ethically problematic and goes against the principles of human rights, equality, and dignity”.
A Green Paper by the Department of Social Protection has suggested reforming the structure of long-term disability payments by establishing a three-tiered system.
She said, “When I first read the Green Paper, my initial reaction was one of shock. It’s hard to fathom that a document like this could drafted without input from the people who’ll be most affected. If the community had been consulted the Government would have discovered that the primary concern facing disabled people in relation to accessing employment right now is not motivation but the sheer number of barriers that must be removed or negotiated in order to do so”.
Disability groups in Clare such as the Clare Leader Forum have called for the Green Paper to be scrapped.
A founding member of Mná ag Gaire, Hilary said, “The Government is just playing for time. They had all the time they needed to hear what the community has to say, they just didn’t both to listen,’ says Ms. Tonge, ‘This delay is just a cynical attempt by the government to take the heat out of the issue. I’ve no faith whatsoever that it will lead to a better proposal. I echo what our party leader, Holly Cairns, said last week – the Green Paper makes it harder for people with disabilities to join the workforce and treats them like second class citizens”.
