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DFI - NEWSLETTER
In Government it is Only Actions that Count

The recent launch of the National Advocacy Service is to be welcomed as an improved and more focused national service, building on the forty plus pilot programmes that preceded it. Speaking at the launch Joan Burton TD, Minister for Social Protection said, “Equality is at the heart of what it means to be a citizen in our democracy. This Government believes that everyone has a right to be free from discrimination and that we all benefit from living in a more equal society.”

While the National Advocacy Service is an important development it is worth remembering that this State recently passed legislation to bring into being a Personal Advocacy Service. This has been put on hold due to the recession. This was heralded as a major plank of the National Disability Strategy.

It will be interesting to see how successful the new National Advocacy Service will be in providing a professional, independent and mainstream representative advocacy service to people with disabilities. DFI anticipates that its member organisations will fully support what it is set up to achieve.

The Government, at a wider level, has made significant commitments to disabled people, and the leaders of both parties have named disability and mental health as their priority social inclusion issue. In opposition, politicians can only say what they would do if in Government, but in Government it is only actions that count. We urgently await the plan to progress the implementation of the National Disability Strategy at a time when disabled people, their families and their organisations, are extremely worried about the availability of services and supports to progress their independence.

Read other articles in the DFI Newsletter by clicking here: http://www.disability-federation.ie/index.php?uniqueID=10319#a10

National Lottery Grants 2011 announced

The National Lottery Grants for 2011 have just been announced. Apparently, there are no deadlines avaiable at this point. For full information on the grants please click at the link:

http://www.dohc.ie/other_health_issues/lottery_grants/

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Penroses announces revised approach to social housing need

The Minister explained that until now there have been many different practices in housing authorities in the way applicants for social housing support had their income means tested. In some cases there were no specific income limits and general guidelines were applied. In others there were limits but these varied from area to area. There were also very significant variations in the way income was defined.  The new regulations will standardise both the income limits and how income is defined.
Under the new arrangements three income threshold bands have been established and housing authorities assigned to a band based on an analysis of the local private rental cost of housing accommodation in each area.
In the new amended regulations Minister Penrose announced an increase of €5,000 in each of the income bands previously envisaged which now range from €25,000 - €35,000.

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Job Shadow Initiative 2011

It’s hard to believe the IASE Job Shadow Initiative is drawing close, this year it will take place on Wednesday 20th of April and will coincide with the IASE National Supported Employment Week.  There will be many events taking place throughout the country from April 18th to the 24th to raise the profile of Supported Employment, full details will be available on the IASE website from next week.

The IASE Job Shadow Initiative provides people with disabilities the opportunity to Job Shadow in a job of their interest and gain a greater understanding of what is involved in that particular area of work, they also learn about the skills required and employers expectations from employees in the work place.

For more information please click here.

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DFI support Seamus Boland for Seanad Elections

Post-Election Up-dates relevant to the Disability Sector

With the election over, DFI and other organisation have continued to capture the issues pertinent to our sector.

For more information please follow this link.

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