Disability services in Kilkenny 'starved' by Budget 2024

Sinn Féin TD Kathleen Funchion claims Budget 2024 has 'starved' disability services in Kilkenny and Carlow of funding.

Speaking ahead of the Sinn Féin motion on the issue, the local representative urged TDs in Carlow-Kilkenny to stand up for people with disabilities in their constituency, and to support her call for government to address this funding failure.

"Budget 2024 failed people with disabilities and their families. It is a disaster for disability services. This failure must now be fixed," Deputy Funchion said.

"The government has the money to sort this out and cannot starve these vital services of funding they need to continue to operate.

"It is a bare minimum that as a state we look after our most vulnerable citizens and their families who face burn out without access to services, including respite," she added.

"For those with disabilities, for their families, for their carers and for those trying to deliver disability services, the government must revise the budgetary provisions for disability services.

"In our motion brought forward by our spokesperson on Disability, Pauline Tully, Sinn Féin is calling on government to revise the budgetary provisions for disability services so that new monies available for improvements amount to at least €155 million next year and separately to ensure that the costs of disability and running disability services are properly provided for."

"The government needs to start listening, and right the wrongs of Budget 2024.

"Sinn Féin will continue to fight for people with disabilities and their families, so that the services they need are both accessible and properly funded," Ms Funchion concluded.