Disability Cut 'Paused' By Taoiseach

The proposed cuts to the disability allowance for young people has been ''paused'' pending a review, according to the Taoiseach.

Enda Kenny said the chairperson of the Commission on Social Welfare and Taxation would look at the measure announced in the Budget after Fianna Fáil leader Micheál Martin told the Dáil the measure was a "callous, retrograde step" that would not be forgotten.

Mr Martin called on the Taoiseach to reverse the cut.

On Wednesday morning, Fine Gael Clare TD Joe Carey welcomed the u-turn decision, describing Enda Kenny's reversal as "real democracy at work".

“I welcome the commitment not to introduce full college fees and to ensure class sizes at primary level are maintained.

"I, along with many Government colleagues, made our feelings clear on the unacceptability of proposed disability allowance cuts and am glad that these proposed cuts have now been halted."

However, Fianna Fáil spokesperson on Social Protection, Barry Cowen, said the Taoiseach’s announcement of a "review group" was "simply not good enough".

Deputy Cowen said: “Despite being handed the opportunity by Michael Noonan, the Taoiseach has refused to acknowledge that his Government made a mistake in singling out young adults with disabilities in Budget 2012.

"He had the opportunity today and yesterday when questioned in the Dáil to announce that these cruel cuts will be reversed. Instead, he has just kicked the issue down the road and announced the establishment of a ‘review group’ instead."

The Government had faced mounting adversity to the cuts, with Disability Federation Ireland's Chief Executive John Dolan expressing "deep concern" over reductions to social protection measures and services to people with disabilities included in Budget 2012.

“We appreciate the difficult decisions that this government has to make. However basic income of people with disabilities was already substantially cut in 2011 and now this government is targeting income support for young people with disabilities up to 24 years and wider secondary benefits that enable this vulnerable group to live in their communities."

Mr Dolan said the reality was that young disabled people on disability allowance were excluded from the activation programmes announced from the same Department, while the cumulative impact of the cuts would have seriously undermined gains made in recent years to work towards putting disabled people on an equal footing.

(DW)