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“Today’s announcements do not come anywhere near the financial costs required in supporting my family” – AsIAm highlights the inadequacy of Budget 2024 in supporting the Autistic Community.
We also warned that legislating for an Autism Strategy should be a priority for the Government before the next election, a commitment that 96% of those polled by AsIAm support.
AsIAm, Ireland’s Autism charity, has responded to the government’s Budget announcement. While we welcome some of today’s measures, the increase of €12 in Disability Allowance, Carers Allowance, Domiciliary Care Allowance fall far below what is needed.
In our pre-budget submission, AsIAm called on government to increase core social welfare payments by €25 per week across Domiciliary Care Allowance, Disability and Carers Allowance. A cost if introduced would reflect the current high cost of living and acknowledge the position of struggling families and individuals across the state. AsIAm’s Annual Same Chance survey of over 1600 autistic people and parents of autistic people found that 78% though the social protection system was not inclusive.
The measures introduced today do not come close to meeting the need of the autistic community. Last year we welcomed the introduction of a cost of disability payment for members of our community, a payment which was much needed. It is disappointing to see the government end this payment, a result of which will have a negative impact on our community.
Ciara Jones, Parent of Autistic Child “Some of today’s measures are welcome. However, as Parent and Carer to an autistic teenager today’s social protection measures do not go far enough for me or my child. Families across the state on carer’s allowance are struggling with basic costs in running a household. The State must recognise the additional costs of a disability. I gave up work in 2018 to care for my son who has high support needs. Today’s announcements along with previous budget announcements do not come anywhere near the financial costs required in supporting my family. The State must start valuing Carers.”
Adam Harris, CEO of AsIAm, commented on the budget announcement, saying, “The increase in core social welfare payments and the suite of once off measures committed to in today’s budget falls short of the level of investment needed to meaningfully address the costs associated with disability and to ensure Autistic people and carers are not confined to poverty”
Harris continued: “The lack of ring-fenced funding to support the Autism Innovation Strategy, and implement the measures in the Joint Oireachtas Committee on Autism Final Report, is a missed opportunity in terms of ambitious implementation in the relatively short period remaining in the lifetime of this Oireachtas and government”
The organisation does welcome a number of measures in todays budget such:
- Greater investment in education for children with additional needs
- Increase funding for disability services.
- Opening of opportunities for those on disability allowance to access part-time degree courses, which the state will fund.
AsIAm remains committed to working collaboratively with the government and other stakeholders to create a more inclusive and supportive environment for autistic individuals. The organisation will continue to advocate for the needs of the Autistic community and families, ensuring that their voices are heard at all levels of decision-making. Over the coming days, the organisation will continue to provide analysis on Budget 2024.
Finally, AsIAm has embarked on a campaign of asking all current members of the Oireachtas to sign a pledge committing to implementing the Joint Oireachtas Committees report in full before the end of this Dáil. You can see a full list of the members of the Oireachtas who have committed to this in November on our website.
