Strategy will deliver real change for disabled people in Louth, says local TD

A new national strategy to deliver a step change in provision of services for disabled people will provide the necessary supports to assist disabled people in Louth to live full and independent lives with the same access to services as all other citizens, Fine Gael Deputy Paula Butterly has said.

Deputy Butterly was speaking after the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 was published by Tánaiste Simon Harris and Minister for Disability Hildegarde Naughton.

Deputy Butterly said: “More than one in five people across the country report living with some form of disability, and many disabled people and their families are waiting too long for services and are frustrated with a system which has failed many. 

“According to Census 2022, some 22% of the population – or 1.1 million people – report living with some form of disability. County Louth records show 30,739 people specifically living with some form of disability.”

Having engaged with many groups over the last number of months including Rehabcare, Deputy Butterly spent time engaging with members and staff. 

Deputy Butterly said: “I remain committed to helping people become more independent and feel more included in their communities

“We know that investment in specialist services and therapies is part of the solution, which is why Fine Gael is recruiting therapists, reforming the Assessment of Needs process, opening special classes, and has established the new Education Therapy Services to deliver therapies in special schools.

“We know that much more needs to be done, particularly in the areas of housing, respite, increased provision of day services and access to employment and transport.

“That is why the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People is so important. Developed in close consultation with disabled people and their representative organisations, it sets out what we need to do over the coming years to assist disabled people in living full and independent lives on the same basis as all other citizens.”

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The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030 sets out a whole of government approach to disability over the next five years and sets out key actions to be delivered by Government departments, State agencies, and local authorities.

The five thematic pillars of the strategy collectively capture the range of issues impacting on the lives of disabled people. They are:

• Inclusive Learning and Education
• Employment
• Independent Living and Active Participation in Society
• Wellbeing and Health
• Transport and Mobility

Key actions in the strategy include:

• Increasing therapists and other professions for our health service and education system
• Completion of walkability audits of towns and cities to allow for the development of accessible route maps, supporting people with mobility issues to travel to work, leisure and education
• Increasing the supply of specialist disability housing
• Ensuring that public transport is accessible, and expanding the Safe Routes to School initiative in consultation with disabled people to make travel safer for young disabled people
• Increasing opportunities and access for disabled people to get work in the public sector
• Increasing access for disabled people to public spaces

“What will be very important to the success of this strategy will be Government departments and Fine Gael public representatives – whether councillors or the Fine Gael Disability Champions, TDs and Senators and ministers - working with each other to drive implement and share best practice,” concluded Deputy Butterly.