EDITORIAL
In recent times, I learned a lot about the services provided to people with intellectual disabilities and their families, due to campaigning by the new ‘Before We Die’ lobby group. Their plight centres around care, compassion and support.
More funding is needed, but it would also be wise for policies and related guides to be re-examined.
Many were adopted 15 years ago after Ireland signed up to the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) and while widely welcomed and well-intentioned, some of these policies and connected regulations appear to be slowing down service delivery.
For instance, some in the sector believe decongregation has gone too far. Niche co-living arrangements could be considered. They would ease costs, be easier to build and would be popular with some families.
Realistically, full implementation of policies adopted under the Convention would probably cost more than the Government is willing to spend – and that is before factoring in a looming global depression.
However, there are pragmatic responses that could improve life for families of people with an intellectual disability. Multi-annual funding would also help by allowing providers to plan.
It may also be helpful to review the wider impact of HIQA (the Health Information and Quality Authority) inspections. The expectations placed on services can sometimes be counter-productive, reducing capacity at a time when families are desperate for places.
You can read a full analysis giving an overview of where we are today and how the State could best respond – here:
Or read the full six pages in our spring edition.
10 new Family Resource Centres
As Ireland’s population expands, so too does the need for community development and family support and it was great to see 10 new projects recently approved to join the national Family Resource Centre Programme.
Floods in the East
Solidarity from west to east where flooding created mayhem in households and communities. I drove through one such flood and we will come back to the subject.
Solidary with people of Gaza, Ukraine, Lebanon, Iran, Sudan…
This spring edition is the first ‘Changing Ireland’ in a long time where we do not have an article connected to the awfulness being unleashed by military powers on vulnerable peoples. I cannot remember a time in my life when there were so many affected by war. Support global solidarity actions whenever, wherever and however you can!
