Impact of COVID on people with disabilities

In this morning’s Dáil COVID Committee hearing, which I chaired, Inclusion Ireland CEO Enda Egan said families are at the absolute edge of their ability to cope during the pandemic. He said there is another pandemic about to hit us and that is family carer burn out.

Disability Federation Ireland CEO John Dolan has said services and supports to people with disabilities were in a bad place before Covid-19 struck, while a funding crisis for services has been exacerbated by the virus.

Meanwhile, indications from providers of services for people with intellectual disabilities is that they will re-open services on September 7th according to Inclusion Ireland.

This afternoon the Committee will be putting questions to officials from the Department of Health and hearing of the virus impact on waiting lists and screening.