Once again, it’s the soft target that Joan Burton is going after: the small group of 16 – 18 year olds with disabilities. About 3600 young people with disabilities will lose €110 a week if this cut goes through. Those with greatest need will suffer, as their expenses are higher.
With no evidence to support her claims, Burton says the existing benefit may be a ‘disincentive to continue in education’ . This is a callous spin to cover a callous cut. The transport and support costs to stay at school are higher for people with disabilities. The biggest disincentives to continuing in education are the lack of jobs at the end of it; and in Ruairi Quinn’s cuts to education support services.
Young people with disabilities have greater living and transport expenses than others. The existing benefits give them a measure of independence and help them participate in mainstream social life. Burton’s proposed cut would increase their dependence and isolation – making life more difficult for them and their carers.
Mobilisations by disable people to stop the cuts in Personal Assistants made Reilly do a U-turn. Young people with disabilities should do the same, including mobilising for the pre-budget protest on November 24 th.
div { margin-top: 1em; }
]]>
Article source: http://joan-collins.org/2012/10/11/disability-benefit-stop-burtons-callous-cut-mobilise-for-november-24th/
