Louth Aontú rep says people with disabilities "tired of recycled promises"

Louth Aontú representative, Michael O'Dowd, has said that the Government’s new disability strategy is full of promises, however people with disabilities and their advocates have heard it all before and will not be fooled again.

Mr O’Dowd was commenting following the announcement of the Government’s National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025 to 2030, and said that "once again, this Government talks about safeguarding without any commitment to legislate.

"After years of reports into abuse and neglect in services, this is  beyond unacceptable. Without a statutory safeguarding law, talk of “promoting welfare and preventing abuse” is empty. We have seen too many scandals to accept more delay."

He continued: "For the first time, Personal Assistant services get specific mention : a million hours, a national policy, better pay. All this is welcome. However, and crucially, without a legal right to PA, these are just numbers on a page. 

"People with disabilities, together with their advocates still will not have the security of knowing people can live independently with the support they need. Rights cannot depend on the goodwill of the HSE or the next budget cycle. While, on one hand I am stunned by the lack of legislation, on the other hand I am not surprised. No legislation allows the government to weasel out of its promises and not for the first time.

“Look at the facts; the public service target of six percent disabled employees has been promised for over a decade and still has not been delivered. The National Disabled Association already has the power to follow up where a public body breaches the target for two successive years.

"It can make recommendations for action, subject to ministerial approval. Yet this mechanism has never driven real change. Simply restating the 6 percent ambition without enforcement or penalties shows a lack of seriousness about inclusion in public employment. We know the difference between rhetoric and results.

"In 2017, the Government promised “joined up services” as one of the core themes of its National Disability Inclusion Strategy. In 2025, the language has shifted to “whole of Government frameworks” and “cross Government action.” Different words, same empty promise. For years, this trope has been rolled out as a panacea for inaction. Disabled people and their advocates cannot live on joined up thinking. We need joined up action.

"Disabled people and their advocates are tired of recycled promises. This time, they demand laws, rights and enforcement. Not more strategies that gather dust”.