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Payments for children with disabilities
Social Protection Minister Joan Burton has set up a review group which will consider the question of whether payments to parents who care for children with disabilities should remain at a flat rate -- at present €309.50 per month -- or "reflect the level of disability/care need of the child".
This seemingly innocuous move has aroused alarm among parents who may be affected. Among them are a small group of Carlow women who are the mothers of autistic boys. Last December, they received letters from Ms Burton's department telling them that their DCA (domiciliary care allowance) had been cut. The department, they say, offered no explanation.
Calling themselves the DCA Warriors, they have campaigned in familiar ways, protesting outside Leinster House and succeeding in buttonholing the minister herself. Equally, and sadly, familiar is the allegation about the conduct of a bureaucracy that so often fails in both courtesy and effective service. The Carlow mothers' chief fear, and that of the other parents who care for an estimated 26,000 children with disabilities, is of course that the review group might recommend reductions in the allowance for those suffering from what are considered less difficult conditions.
To this Ms Burton, or any minister, can reply that it would be a dereliction of duty not to make cuts wherever the opportunity arises. Unquestionably, the Government's financial position remains dire. Severe public spending cuts are expected in the December Budget. Ministers cannot rule out any potential savings, and that could include savings from the annual €100m currently spent on DCA.
Equally obvious is the counter-argument. An allowance of €309.50 per month is small compensation for parents who spend 24 hours a day struggling to meet the needs of children. However, for 40pc their situation is alleviated because they also get a "package" that includes a carer's allowance, telephone and electricity allowance, and free TV licence.
In addition, they can take comfort from the fact that parents will be represented on Ms Burton's review group. No doubt they will make their colleagues well aware of the hard facts faced by those on whom the children rely so heavily.
Taking all this into consideration, it would appear that the scope for cuts is extremely limited. If they must be made, they should be made with one overriding point in mind. Astonishing advances have been made in the treatment of children with disabilities. Great numbers have progressed far enough in development to lead happy and satisfying lives. And Ireland has a good record in this field. The Government has to find the means of saving money, but while doing so it must not risk reversing this advance of civilisation.
Editorial Opinion
21 August 3012
http://www.independent.ie/opinion/editorial/payments-for-children-3206604.html
