Tipperary TD Michael Lowry has hit out at the performance of the Government in respect of Disability Rights.
The Thurles based TD says ‘Disability Rights are Human Rights – not Special Rights’ and the government should ensure persons with disabilities have the same rights as all people to non-discrimination, access, equality of opportunity, inclusion and full participation in society.
The Regional Independents Group have put forward a Dáil Motion calling for several improvements to be made in relation to transport for people with Disabilities.
There is cross party support for the motion including contributions from Tipperary TDs Alan Kelly and Mattie McGrath.
Minister Anne Rabbitte and Minister Roderic O’Gorman have committed to a whole of government response to improvements across a range of issues.
According to the 2016 census over 600,000 people have some form of disability.
The Thurles based TD highlighted the impact access to transport can have on all aspects of life. The Mobility Allowance and the Motorised Transport Grant were discontinued in 2013 and the replacement scheme promised 10 years ago has not yet been put in place causing huge difficulty for those with disabilities.
The TD also highlighted the inadequacies in public transport for those with disabilities which can impact on the ability to access employment.
