Newry Armagh Sinn Féin Sinn Féin -- Building an Ireland of Equals

Mickey Brady calls on Margaret Ritchie to Revise Cuts in Grants: Including Disabled Facilities

Published: 30 October, 2008

Sinn Féin's spokesperson on Elderly People and Welfare Rights, Mickey Brady MLA has expressed his dismay at Minister for Social Development, Margaret Ritchie's decision to reduce funding for people with disabilities to have their homes converted to accommodate their disability. The overall budget for grants including disabled facilities had been reduced from £5million last year to £4.25million this year. £1.2 million has been set aside for disabled facilities. The effects of this is that both people needing disabled facilities grants and repair grants etc. are both being affected.

Mr. Brady said,

"I understand that due to the credit crunch, Ministers have had to make certain cutbacks, however Minister Ritchie's decision to reduce funding from people with disabilities is hurting the most vulnerable in society."

"The funding which was granted to people with disabilities until recently is essential and can not just be reduced without any thought or consideration to how it affects people's lives. I intend to raise this with Margaret Ritchie in the Assembly and I would urge the Minister to rethink her decision