Longford activist demands action on tackling cost of having a disability in Ireland

Longford’s James Cawley was among the hundreds gathered at Dublin’s Garden of Remembrance on February 28, part of a nationwide protest organised by the Irish Wheelchair Association, Disability Federation of Ireland and Access for All group to protest about the additional cost to having a disability in Ireland. 

Disabled activist James joined this national campaign, urging action from a grassroots level and to support the national effort.

To engage locally, James reached out to his local councillors, and Cllr David Cassidy tabled a motion which was passed at a recent meeting of Longford County Council.

Cllr Cassidy remarked, “James is a great activist locally and nationally for disabled people’s rights. When he approached me I wanted to support his efforts. Longford County Council passed the motion and we are writing to all city and county councils across Ireland, urging them to table the same motion. We will also write to the Department of Social Protection, urging an additional cost-of-disability payment.”

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Mr Cawley said, “I have worked in this space nationally for many years and it’s no surprise to anyone that there is an additional cost to disability. The Dept of Social Protection actually proved this in their 2021 Indecon research they commissioned. Disabled people are exhausted from consultation after consultation.” 

He added, “We are “policy rich” and “implementation poor” in this country.  We don’t need more consultation, we need action.”

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James and many disabled activists around the country are actively and collaboratively engaging with the Minister for Social Protection on this matter.