Controversial Green Paper disability reform scrapped

Government has scrapped a controversial planned reform of disability services in Ireland following backlash from disability organisations and activists. 

The Green Paper, which would have looked to create a three-tiered system of disability payments, was the subject of”significant concerns” according to Social Protection Minister Heather Humphreys.

The proposed reforms would have seen disability payments determined by the nature and restrictions of the disability and a perceived ability to work.

“I launched the consultation process on the Green Paper last September. Based on the feedback I have received to date, it is clear that there are significant concerns about the proposals,” Humphreys told the Irish Independent.

“I have listened to these concerns and I am confirming today that the Green Paper proposals will not be implemented.”

She said that Government needs to take a “fresh look” at how people with disabilities can be “best supported.”

She stated that Taoiseach Simon Harris will be putting “major focus” on improving supports for people with disabilities.

A peaceful protest was held outside the Dáil before Christmas, with the reforms called “insulting.”

Independent Senator Tom Clonan told the Seanad last October that the proposed changes were “like something out of Dickens.”

“This policy can only be successful if it determines that people are fit for work. If people do not comply with the Department, they could be struck off and lose their benefits. We need reassurances about that. Otherwise, there is no point in spending large sums of money on trying to assess people,” he said at the time.

Access For All Ireland said “after our tireless campaigning and work (and it has been tiring) the government has seen fit to scrap the Green Paper.

They called on Government to “now work with us and hear our voices.”

People Before Profit election candidate and prominent disability activist Bernard Mulvany said “this goes to show what people power can do.”

He said the proposals were a “regressive, Tory policy.”

“We worked together, we pushed together, and the government finally saw sense and scrapped it – this is gonna lift a huge weight off the disability community’s shoulders.”

Social Democrats leader Holly Cairns has welcomed Government’s decision, saying the proposed reforms were “ill-judged and highly insulting to disabled people.”

“It should therefore come as little surprise to the Government that there was such a strong backlash to this deeply offensive plan.

“The Green Paper contained outrageous proposals to replace the disability allowance, invalidity pension and blind pension with a so-called personal support payment.”

“This proposal was a carbon copy of a discredited system that was introduced in the UK under austerity measures in 2008 and I welcome that it has been scrapped.”

Humphreys stated that the reform will now fall into the hands of a new Cabinet sub-committee on disability.

Cairns stated “any meaningful reform should recognise the cost of disability by providing a weekly cost of disability payment. In addition, personal transport supports that Fine Gael abolished over a decade ago must immediately be restored.”

“It is a sad reality that disabled people’s biggest battle is often with the State when they try to access basic services, such as an assessment of need, essential therapies or personal assistance hours.
“A focus on disability is so desperately needed. We need a government that will provide the services that people are entitled to.”