DFI Election Campaign 2011

SEANAD ELECTIONS

22nd March 20111 - DFI Calls Supports Seamus Boland as Seanad Candidate

To: DFI Member Organisations

The Board of DFI has recently nominated Séamus Boland to contest the Seanad Election for the Public Administration Panel. Séamus is not a party political candidate, which marks him out from his competitors, but more importantly he is a very able candidate. He worked with a DFI member organisation back in the 90’s, APT who are involved in promoting the economic and social integration of persons with disabilities, through the stimulation, mobilisation and development of local resources.  Apart from that he is a colleague organisation of DFI in the Community and Voluntary Pillar of Social Partnership where we have seen him operate so effectively over the years.

Séamus has the experience of working on the ground and at the level of trying to effect change at Government and Department levels.  He has shown himself as an able advocate for the implementation of the social aspects of the Towards 2016 Agreement where the National Disability Strategy is an integral part. Séamus has been endorsed by the Board of DFI and in him we have for the first time a candidate that is not dependent on any political party and more importantly who has a strong reputation within Government and Oireachtas circles and with officials across a range of Departments and he has the proven capacity and commitment to be effective.

In the past independent candidates have failed to get elected. But things are not the same now amongst the Administration panel electorate, the new Dáil, outgoing Seanad and the members of all the County and borough Councils, as there are more independent members and party representatives that will not be running candidates. The party candidates for the Administrative panel are from Fine Gael, Fianna Fáil and Labour so other parties will not be “automatically” voting for those candidates. Having studied the list of the electorate there is every chance that Séamus can be elected and we in the disability movement have an opportunity to engage with the Oireachtas members and the Local Authority members to put it up to them to back our nominee. Disability is a major, if not the major, social issue in Ireland and so much still needs to be done to make mainstreaming a real day to day experience for disabled people and their families.

DFI is looking for your active support to help get Séamus elected. It is important to act now and get talking to those with a vote that you know or that someone close to you knows. Please let us know that you are prepared to do something to help get Séamus elected.

POST ELECTION

 8th March - DFI Statement to Member Organisations

The Programme for Government, titled Government for National Recovery 2011-2016, contains a number of significant commitments to people with disabilities, indicating a level of understanding and buy-in that suggests future engagement with our sector can be constructive. The main sections of the programme relevant to disability are appended.

Amongst the positive commitments are:

·         a realistic implementation plan for the National Disability Strategy with whole-of -government involvement and partnership with the disability sector

·         a Comprehensive Spending Review  where spending on disability services is clearly laid out and audited

·         mental capacity legislation

·         plan for implementation of the EPSEN Act

·         addressing current deficits in early intervention

·         recognition of the vital role of the community and voluntary sector

However, there are also gaps and numerous areas where further clarification is required.  For example while the Programme says that social welfare rates will be maintained, there is no reference to the extra costs imposed on people with disabilities and consequent poverty implications.  Also the disability section focuses on “reform[ing] the delivery of services” to free up resources and give people with disabilities greater flexibility but it makes no mention of the critical contribution of voluntary organisations.  There is no mention of disability-proofing across government.

The appointment of Minister and the remits of Departments will provide further information or indications for progress.

We will be actively engaging with the new government to flesh out the content of the Government’s Programme so that it forms a solid basis for progressing towards the goals for people with disabilities that we all share.  In particular we will focus on working with the Government in the first one hundred days of office to follow through on their commitments to develop and NDS Implementation Plan.

3rd March 2011 - Press Statement from the Disability Federation of Ireland

PROGRAMME FOR GOVERNMENT MUST NAME AND POSITION DISABILITY AS SOCIETAL ISSUE

DFI has written to the Leaders of Fine Gael and the Labour Party underlining the key commitments made during the election campaign to prioritise people with disability and mental health needs.  Both party leaders confirmed their intention to prioritise the disability issue, during the final election debate and DFI is keen to have this prioritisation articulated in the Programme for Government.

John Dolan, Chief Executive of DFI said today, “Both parties are in agreement that disability and mental health is the priority social justice and equality area to be progressed by the new Government. Over 18% of Irish people have some level of disability and it is imperative that the incoming Government have detailed plans to provide services and income supports for these people as required. Our National Disability Strategy provides all the guidance necessary for the development of these plans – it is now just a matter of leadership and commitment and both Leaders have also confirmed their intention to deliver a plan to protect disability”

John Dolan went on to say, “Disability is a societal issue requiring strong leadership at Government level if the desired outcomes are to be achieved. It is important that the new Government appoint a Minister with specific responsibility for this issue and that all Departments involved co-ordinate their efforts to maximise cohesion and outcomes”

“Implementing the Disability commitments will require the reform of public service provision and implementation of the Public Service Agreement”, John Dolan said.

PRE - ELECTION

23^rd February 2011Press Statement from Disability Federation of Ireland

DFI welcomes prioritisation of Disability and Mental Health

DFI is pleased that Enda Kenny and Eamon Gilmore, both Leaders likely to be involved in the next government, have publicly expressed their commitment to addressing disability and mental health as the priority social justice and equality issue to be pursued by the next Government.  

John Dolan, Chief Executive of the DFI said today, "Disability can and does affect people and families in every circumstance and situation in Ireland, from childhood to old age and across all people and groups that are vulnerable and marginalised, and in that way it makes sense to have it as a priority issue. Disability is a societal and cross cutting issue, it is not a narrow sectoral matter. Disabled people and their families are in no way immune from the effects of unemployment, pay cuts, reductions in income supports and difficulties in accessing necessary services. The protection of income supports and services for the 750,000 people with disabilities is vital at this time".

DFI along with it’s member organisations are committed to working in partnership with the next Government to ensure that supports are protected and that further progress can be made as we come out of the recession.

DFI is looking forward to the detail of the Programme for Government to see how the commitment to disability is addressed in an integrated and whole of Government way and we are happy to assist.

18th February 2011

Sunbeam House Service Users YOU TUBE Clip on the 2011 Election

Here is the link to the You Tube Video Clip: http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=aDk6gYnbFL8

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17th February 2011

DFI Election Campaign Up-dates

Up-Date on DFI’s election campaign activities

At the national level DFI continues raising disability issues in the election debate, over and above the local initiatives led by our Support Officers.  That said, the campaign continues to focus mainly on banking and deficit concerns rather than social policy priorities. We need to accelerate our efforts to highlight the relevance of social policy in selecting the next government. 

DFI lobbying political parties

We have replied to the parties about their responses to DFI’s five questions, including a compendium of all the responses and a comment that welcomed their commitments but highlighted the key issues that they should have addressed.  Our letter again urged the parties to focus on disability in an election event, pointing out that some 18.5% of the Irish population have disabilities, not counting the interest of family members.  We are circulating this material widely, for example, to colleagues on the C&V Pillar and DSG.

More recently the Green Party sent us a more fulsome statement on disability that has been posted on our website.

I have been actively engaging with party officials by telephone as well to profile the disability sector’s priorities.

We are finalising our analysis of the party manifestos and related documents, and will share our findings with you shortly.

Campaign in the media

A press release was issued on the 17^th February about the responses of the political parties, In the release I focused on the ‘double hit’ people with disabilities are enduring as a result of the recession.

We are also working to get local media coverage on disability issues, for example, with a follow-up spot on Drive Time and a member organisation being profiled on Primetime.

In summary

The election section of DFI’s website is a good source of information on the disability dimension of the campaign www.disability-federation.ie . It is updated daily.

Please keep us posted about what is happening at your end, especially on any disability policy issues that are being debated. 

Regards

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16th February 2011

PwDI Letter to Election Candidates

General Election 2011

I write to you in my capacity as Chief Executive Officer People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI) a National Organisation run by persons with disabilities, their families and carers who strive to ensure that the disability voice is heard at all levels of society and the decision making  process.

PwDI asks that the key priority of any new Government in relation to the disability sector should be to allow all people with disabilities live with as much comfort and dignity as possible. In many cases this will require additional resources and in some cases it will require more efficient use of and monitoring of existing resources. PwDI recognises that in these tough economic times there needs to be a more co-ordinated approach to spending in the area of disability to ensure that the taxpayer gets value for money and that those with disabilities are given the quality of life that they deserve.

PwDI, as part of its membership of the Disability Stakeholder Group (DSG), representing hundreds of thousands of people with disabilities, their families, carers and services providers, plays a key role in driving forward and monitoring the progress of the National Disability Strategy (NDS). The DSG is made up of six disability umbrella organisations, Disability Federation of Ireland, National Federation of Voluntary Bodies providing services to People with an Intellectual Disability, Irish Mental Health Coalition, Inclusion Ireland, Not For Profit Business Association, and People with Disabilities Ireland (PwDI). 

We are now calling on all political parties and election candidates to actively implement the NDS as a priority throughout the life time of the next Dáil and to support the structures required to monitor and drive the Strategy under the direction of the Department of An Taoiseach, whereby it will be ensured that people with disabilities and mental health needs have sufficient income to live on and the necessary public and social services required to live life with dignity”.We are asking that you ensure that the implementation of  the National Disability Strategy is a priority issue in the forthcoming election and that it will be a key tenet of any new Programme for Government.

The National Disability Strategy sets out key priorities and long term goals to improve services to people with disabilities and their families. Its goals include that people with disabilities have access to an adequate income, including supports to earn their own income, access to public services, including healthcare, education and transport, among others, supports to live independently and the provision of supports to carers. This strategy is a key to the development of disability services and policies in Ireland and its implementation is essential to ensuring quality of life, access to services and equality of opportunity for people with disabilities and their families, now and in the future.

Disability does not discriminate, it can call on any one of us at any stage of life, therefore I would ask that you do not discriminate against those among the population who have disabilities (10%) and ensure that adequate financial and other supports are available to them in equal measure.

PwDI as part of its General Election campaign will seek commitments from all parties and candidates that they will

1)       Actively engage with all relevant stakeholders for the implementation of the NDS as a priority throughout the life time of the next Dáil whereby they will ensure that people have sufficient income to live on and the necessary public and social services required to live life with dignity.

2)       Ensure that appropriate legislation is brought before the Dail to enable the implementation in full of the UN Convention on the Rights of People with Disabilities without undue delay.

3)       Make provision for the inclusion of an "experienced person with a disability" as a member of all County, City and Borough, council review panels for Disabled Housing Grants.

4)       Provide for a more proactive consultation with people with disabilities on all Planning initiatives  that impact on their lives

5)       Disability proof all transport initiatives to provide for better physical and wheelchair access on all public transport systems and to look especially at the new DART Interconnector which is currently at appeal stage with An Bord Pleanala.

6)       Consideration be given to restoring the minimum wage to the level it was before budget 2011 and to make employment opportunities available to people with disabilities. This reduction in the minimum wage has made it less favourable for all persons to leave the unemployment register and the welfare supports available and take up paid employment.

7)       Reverse the reduction in the Tax credits for blind or visually impaired people and also the 10% reduction in the tax allowance for guide dogs to be restored. 

8)       Review the assessment of need of children with a disability and consider extending the age limit from 0-5 years (as provided for in the Disability act 2005) to 0-10 years. This increase in age limit would ensure that all children would succeed in having a dignosis at the earliest opportunity and that appropriate care packages are in place to meet their needs.

9)       Examine the term used in providing for the cuts to Disability payments in Budget 2011. The Minister stated in his budget speech “In the case of working age rates of payment there will be a reduction of about 4 per cent. “and having looked at this they must realise that persons on long term disability payments, such as Invalidity Pension, are in receipt of these payments due to the fact that they are unable to work and probably will not work in future – De facto pensioned out of the workforce and should not be considered as job-seekers or people of working age. Therefore PWDI sees it as a logical concession that persons on these long term disability payments are provided for in the same manner as pensioners i.e. persons of non working age and any cuts in payments be restored at the earliest opportunity.

Finally, PwDI appreciates that any new Government faces a difficult situation when planning for the recovery.  But undermining the investment already made to enhance the lives of a very vulnerable group of people, or failing to build the capacity of statutory and non-statutory bodies to work together to best use resources is short sighted.  Budgetary difficulties and stringent economic measures should not deflect any new Government from accepting that disability is a priority sector and that it should be supported with adequate Budgets and provision of services.

Having outlined these issues PwDI is now calling on all election candidates to bear in mind that equality and opportunity is a right for all and especially those with a disability.

Regards,

Morgan Mc Knight
Chief Executive Officer

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31st January 2011

18.5% of Irish People experience some level of disability ……DFI asks for commitment to these people and their families in election manifestos

In a recent letter and submission to all political parties, contesting the forthcoming election, the Disability Federation of Ireland has highlighted the established fact, that 18.5% of Irish people experience some level of disability.  DFI has asked the political parties to outline their plans for the disability sector in their election manifestos and respond to a series of questions by Tuesday 8^th February.

John Dolan, Chief Executive of The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) said today,

“We need each political party to set out their commitments to people with disabilities and mental health needs, in their election manifesto, in keeping with the content and spirit of the highly regarded National Disability Strategy (NDS).   We would then expect that this commitment in the relevant manifestos would transfer to the next Programme for Government.  The cut backs in recent years are hurting people with disabilities in their pockets and making it difficult for them to access the services they need.”

In the communication with the political parties, John Dolan of the DFI emphasises that,

“Disability is not a sectoral, but a societal issue and our elected representatives must take the lead to ensure that all can share and participate equally in Irish society.  The NDS is Government taking on the ultimate responsibility, for the first time, for the support and inclusion of people with disabilities and their families.  The gains made to date must be protected while advances also need to be made during the lifetime of the new Government. 
Progressing the NDS is an essential element of the infrastructure required to protect vulnerable people particularly throughout the recession” 

DFI are now asking all political parties and individuals contesting the forthcoming election, to make the following commitments, either as part of an election manifesto or some other such public commitment by Tuesday 8^th February 2011: 

1. That your Party in Government will prioritise the ongoing support of people with disability and their families.
2. That your Party in Government will implement a plan to ensure advancement of the Strategy (NDS) throughout and beyond the recession.
3. That your Party in Government will ensure the protection of income supports along with necessary public and social services required by members of the public who are disabled.
4. That your Party in Government will support the self determination of people with disability by continuing to build the capacity of voluntary disability organisations.
5. That your Party in Government will support the appointment of a Minister with sole responsibility for advancing the NDS at a whole of government level.

DFI plan to publish the responses from the political parties, as received.

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10th February 2011

Carers Pre-Election Campaign

Click here for more information - Carers - Pre-Election Manifesto

DFI LETTERS TO PARTY LEADERS

26th January 2011

Dear Party Leader,   

I understand that your Party is currently drafting its election manifesto, which understandably you expect will contribute to the next Programme for Government.

The Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) asks you to include a commitment to those with disabilities and mental health needs in your manifesto in keeping with the content and spirit of the National Disability Strategy (NDS).

You will be aware that 18.5% of our population experience some level of disability – this includes mental health needs.  On this basis, at one time or another, virtually every family in this country is affected and most likely support in some way, a person with a disability.

Disability is not a sectoral, but a societal issue and our elected representatives must take the lead to ensure that all can share and participate equally in Irish society.  The NDS is Government taking on the ultimate responsibility, for the first time, for the support and inclusion of people with disabilities and their families.  The gains made to date must be protected while advances also need to be made during the lifetime of the new Government.  Progressing the NDS is an essential element of the infrastructure required to protect vulnerable people particularly throughout the recession. 

We are now asking all political parties and individuals contesting the forthcoming election, to make the following commitments, either as part of an election manifesto or some other such public commitment.  We also invite you to respond to the DFI on the following specific issues: 

1. That your Party in Government will prioritise the ongoing support of people with disability and their families.
2. That your Party in Government will implement a plan to ensure advancement of the Strategy (NDS) throughout and beyond the recession.
3. That your Party in Government will ensure the protection of income supports along with necessary public and social services required by members of the public who are disabled.
4. That your Party in Government will support the self determination of people with disability by continuing to build the capacity of voluntary disability organisations.
5. That your Party in Government will support the appointment of a Minister with sole responsibility for advancing the NDS at a whole of government level.

I look forward to hearing from you in regard to the five items listed above.  I am under immense pressure from our member organisations and individuals around the country to establish the views of the different political parties and individual politicians in the lead in to the election.  Our members are understandably concerned that the new Government and Dáil will not actively advance the NDS during this difficult period and beyond.

I have also been contacted by some media organisations asking about our interaction with parties in the context of the election. We plan to be totally fair and transparent in any media
interaction we have on this important matter.  Please come back to us by Tuesday the 8^th of February as we intend briefing the media at that point. 

I enclose some relevant information and please revert if I can be of any further assistance. 

I look forward to hearing from you.

Yours sincerely,

John Dolan

Chief Executive Officer

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LETTER TO DFI MEMBERS - GENERAL ELECTION 2011

24th January 2011

Between Friday and today so much has changed in relation to the date of the election and the party political set up.  That said the issues are the same for people with disabilities and mental health needs and their families.  You know that well from your day to day work.  With all the talk of the Election date, Finance Bill, the economy and job creation it is easy to forget that while these are all important things what is way more important is ensuring that people are involved in the life of their local community.  That is what the work of each of us as organisations is about.  We are striving to make sure that those whom we serve can fully participate.  Over the last decade Government made that commitment and it did it through the National Disability Strategy, (NDS).  This Strategy seeks to protect necessary disability specific services such as respite services while also supporting people with disabilities to be able to access mainstream public services such as housing and education.  You might seldom refer to the NDS but your work has the same objective.

Disability is a Societal Issue Not a Sectoral Issue

Disability and mental health do not comprise just another interest group trying to protect its interests.  Disabilities and disabling conditions affect people of all ages and cause varying degrees of restriction, compromise and curtailment.  Disability so often arrives without warning and people cannot on their own protect themselves against the multiple effects.  There is no company offering that insurance policy and if there was, no one could afford the premiums.  Up to recently that risk was left to individuals and their families along with the voluntary organisations that grew up to support people.  There was little support from the State.  The NDS is the State’s offering to help underwrite the risk.  There are many risks and fears that people can face throughout their lives and living with a disability or a disabling condition is at the top end, as is the impact that it has on the life of the person concerned and their family.  That is why disability is not a sectoral interest; it is in the interest of us all as a society to ensure that there is available the services and supports needed to ensure that everyone can lead a full life in the community.

For these reasons we will be pressing all candidates and parties contesting the election to have implementation of the National Disability Strategy as a priority area for action in their Programme for Government. 

Prioritise the Implementation of the NDS

In DFI we have consistently pushed for the full and early implementation of the Strategy because it will lead to real change for the better within and across communities where people live.  With the onset of the recession DFI was greatly concerned that the commitment to the Strategy would fade under the relentless emphasis on banking and the economy.  That is why we called for a plan from Government to protect and advance the Strategy throughout the recession.  We continue to push for that and we are now in discussions with government officials, along with the Disability Stakeholders Group (DSG), to have that plan put in place as a matter of urgency.  Hopefully this will happen in the next week or so but in any event it will be our main theme for our Election Campaign. 

DFI General Election Campaign

Taking the above into consideration the main elements of our overarching approach will involve the following elements.

1. We will seek commitments from all parties and candidates that they will actively implement the NDS as a priority throughout the life time of the next Dáil whereby they will ensure that people have sufficient income to live on and the necessary public and social services required to live life with dignity.
2. We will seek commitments from all parties that in implementing the NDS they will work with and support the many voluntary disability organisations that are representative of people with disabilities and their inclusion in the community.

As suggested above this approach is built on the fact that the NDS is not just something for the disabled population or interest group; it is a necessary social infrastructure that this State badly needs to have available to all its people as and when they may need it. Furthermore it is built on the foundation of the inalienable rights that all people have.

The recession must not become an excuse to stop progress; rather it gives us opportunities to do things differently mainly with the assistance of the Public Service Agreement and the Public Service Reform Programme.  Voluntary disability organisations are key partners for ‘working smarter’ to progress the NDS. 

The DFI Approach and Your Organisations Election Work

I hope that you find this letter of assistance in whatever work you are planning in the run up to the election and that our broad approach gives support to the more particular issues that you may raise.  We are focusing on necessary public and social services in the mainstreaming context along with highlighting the importance of income for people to be able to live life with dignity in the community.  I am aware that the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and the collective CILs, through CIL Carmichael, already have their election issues in circulation; this gives great focus to their specific issues during the campaign.  DFI will shortly be sending a campaign document to you and to all the political parties; we will also be posting information updates to our web site. www.disability-federation.ie

It is said that “all politics is local”, with this in mind please support all people with disabilities and their families connected with your organisation to deliver a clear message to every candidate to commit to MAKE THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL DISABLITY STRATEGY A PRIORITY FOR THE NEXT GOVERNMENT.  I would strongly encourage you to raise your organisation’s concerns through local media in the coming weeks.  People with disabilities need access to public services in their own communities.  The election candidates need to hear people with disabilities speak about their needs whether in relation to accessing housing, education and training or employment in their own communities.

Please keep in touch with your DFI Support Officer and we will do whatever we can to support your work.  It would be great to hear any updates that you have or about events that you are organising.

Regards,

John Dolan

Chief Executive Officer

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20th January 2011

Next Government and Disabled People: Propelling Forward or Reversing Back to Our Past?

Between Friday 21st and Monday 24th of January so much changed in relation to the date of the election and the party political set up. That said the issues are the same for people with disabilities and mental health needs and their families. You know that very well from your day to day work. With all the talk of the Election date, Finance Bill, the economy and job creation it is easy to forget that, while these are all important issues, what is way more important is ensuring that people are involved in the life of their local community. That is what the work of each of our organisations is about. We are striving to make sure that those whom we serve can fully participate. Over the last decade Government made that commitment, and it did it through the National Disability Strategy (NDS). This Strategy seeks to protect necessary disability specific services such as respite services while also supporting people with disabilities to be able to access mainstream public services, such as housing and education. You might seldom refer to the NDS in your daily work, but your work has the same objective.

Disability is a Societal Issue Not a Sectoral Issue

Disability and mental health are not just issues for another interest group. Disabilities and disabling conditions affect people of all ages and cause varying degrees of restriction, compromise and curtailment. Disability so often arrives without warning and people cannot on their own protect themselves against the multiple effects. There is no company offering that insurance policy, and if there was, no one could afford the premiums. Up to recently that risk was left to individuals and their families together with the voluntary organisations that grew up to support people. There was little support from the State. The NDS is the State’s offering to help underwrite the risk. There are many risks and fears that people can face throughout their lives, and living with a disability or a disabling condition is at the top end, as is the impact that it has on the life of the person concerned and their family. That is why disability is not a sectoral interest; it is in the interest of all of us as a society to ensure that the services and supports needed to ensure that everyone can lead a full life in the community are available.

For these reasons we will be pressing all candidates and parties contesting the election to have the implementation of the National Disability Strategy as a priority area for action in their Programme for Government.

Prioritise the Implementation of the National Disability Strategy

DFI has consistently pushed for the full and early implementation of the Strategy because it will lead to real change for the better within and across communities where people live. With the onset of the recession DFI was greatly concerned that the commitment to the Strategy would fade under the relentless emphasis on banking and the economy. That is why we called for a plan from Government to protect and advance the Strategy through the recession. We continue to push for that, and we are now in discussions with Government officials, along with the Disability Stakeholders Group (DSG), to have that plan put in place as a matter of urgency. Hopefully this will happen in the next week or so, but in any event, it will be the main theme for our Election Campaign.

DFI General Election Campaign

Taking the above into consideration the main focus of our overarching approach will involve the following elements.

1. We will seek commitments from all parties and candidates that they will actively implement the NDS as a priority throughout the life of the next Dáil, whereby they will ensure that people have sufficient income to live, and the necessary public and social services required to live life with dignity.
2. We will seek commitments from all parties that, in implementing the NDS, they will work with and support the many voluntary disability organisations that are representative of people with disabilities and working for their inclusion in the community.

This approach is built on the fact that the NDS is not just something for the disabled population or interest group; it is a necessary social infrastructure that this State badly needs to have available to all of its people, as and when they may need it. Furthermore it is built on the foundation of the inalienable rights of all people.

The recession must not become an excuse to stop progress; rather it gives us opportunities to do things differently, mainly with the assistance of the Public Service Agreement and the Public Service Reform Programme. Voluntary disability organisations are key partners in ‘working smarter’ to progress the NDS.

The DFI Approach and the Election Work of Your Organisation

I hope that you find this information of assistance in whatever work you are planning in the run up to the election, and that our broad approach gives support to the more particular issues that you may raise. We are focusing on necessary public and social services in the mainstreaming context, along with highlighting the importance of income for people to be able to live life with dignity in the community. I am aware that the Neurological Alliance of Ireland and the collective Centres for Independent Living (CIL), through CIL Carmichael, already have their election issues in circulation. This gives great focus to their specific issues during the campaign. DFI will shortly be sending a campaign document to you and to all the political parties. We will also be posting information updates on our web site. www.disability-federation.ie

It is said that “all politics is local”. With this in mind please support all people with disabilities and their families who are connected with your organisation to deliver a clear message to every candidate, to commit to MAKING THE IMPLEMENTATION OF THE NATIONAL DISABLITY STRATEGY A PRIORITY FOR THE NEXT GOVERNMENT. I would strongly encourage you to raise your organisation’s concerns through local media in the coming weeks. People with disabilities need access to public services in their own communities. The actions of the next Government will either propel us forward or bring us back to our past. The election candidates need to hear people with disabilities speak about their needs whether in relation to accessing housing, education and training or employment in their own communities.

Please keep in touch with your DFI Support Officer and we will do whatever we can to support your work. It would be great to hear any updates that you have or about events that you are organising.

John Dolan CEO

Election Campaign 2011

DFI has set up a special section on its website to cover the election campaign. The site will link to key campaign documents, including excerpts from the manifestos of the political parties that focus on disability policy. Go to www.disability-federation.ie

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15th January 2011

Neurological Alliance Campaign

The Neurological Alliance of Ireland (NAI) is launching a national campaign in 2011. THINKING AHEAD will call on the government to protect and prioritise the development of neurological care services. 

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REGISTER TO VOTE -
Ensure you are able to vote and check your details are correct

A person is able to check the register of electors online to see if they are registered to vote and if their details are correct.  If you need to register or change your address on the register you have 14 days before polling day (excluding Sundays and Bank holidays) to change it. 

All the details are available here http://www.checktheregister.ie/

The form must be signed by a garda and all forms are avaialble on the website above or at Libraries, Post Offices and Garda Stations.

Note that being on the Register does not automatically entitle a person to vote in ALL elections – please see your voting rights on your local county council website.

Conditions for Registration

Age: a person must be at least 18 years of age on the day the register comes into force (15th February).  Every resident aged 18 and upwards is entitled to be on the register.

Residence: a person must be ordinarily resident at the address at which he/she wishes to be registered.

Citizenship: every adult resident in the state is entitled to be registered, their citizenship determines the type of elections they may vote in (see below)

Check your voting rights

Referenda: Only Irish citizens can vote in referenda e.g. to vote for or against a proposal to modify the Irish constitution (Bunreacht na hÉireann).

Presidential: Only Irish citizens can vote in Presidential Elections.

Elections for Dáil Éireann: Both Irish and British citizens can vote in elections for Dáil Éireann (the lower house of parliament).

Elections for the European Parliament: Irish, British and other European Union (EU) citizens can vote in elections for the European Parliament.

Elections for Local Government: Irish, British, EU and non-EU citizens can vote in local elections.