People With Disabilities Ireland – an umbrella organisation for the disabled – will cease to exist at the end of next month, as the Department of Justice and Equality has cancelled its entire funding allocation in the upcoming budget.
PWDI is the only national cross disability organisation wholly funded by the Government. The group’s Kilkenny branch, which was based on New Street in the city, was staffed entirely by volunteers. The local representative, Nigel Brander, said he was shocked at Minister for Justice and Equality Alan Shatter’s decision to withdraw the organisation’s funding for 2012.
“It will be a huge loss – it’s a sad day when the most disadvantaged in society are affected in this way,” he said.
“We received a letter saying that the funding would not be there next year. In some ways, I’m shocked, in others I’m not surprised; all other agencies are being cut across the board.”
Mr Brander said that no reason had been offered in the letter as to why the PWDI was to lose 100 per cent of its government allocation. He said that while most staff were voluntary, a number of paid staff had also been made redundant, including three people who are themselves disabled.
The organisation has over 8,000 members and affiliated organisations, and 26 local network committees across Ireland – one of which is in Kilkenny. The local committee’s role was to raise and address local issues and organise events such as conferences and activities for members
“We worked with the local authority, with the HSE and also with groups such as the Council for the Blind,” said Mr Brander.
Chairperson of PWDI Mr James McClean described the decision as a retrograde step, with far-reaching consequences for people with disabilities and many small disability groups.
“The decision to withdraw this funding will have a detrimental effect on the lives of so many people with disabilities nationally,” he said.
“This decision shows a complete disregard for the voluntary work of hundreds of members over the past decade and all that they have achieved and accomplished. Not alone will it end the running of PwDI as an organisation but it will mean the disempowerment of so many volunteer people with disabilities.
