Thousands of people with intellectual disabilities and their families are expected to march in Dublin, Galway and Castlebar today in protest over cuts to disability services around the State.

Inclusion Ireland said Government cutbacks to essential services without prior consultation are “not acceptable”. The national association for people with an intellectual disability is organising today's protest.

Chief executive Deirdre Carroll said the National Disability Strategy has been gradually dismantled over the last two years, compounded by cuts to education and social welfare for people with disabilities.

She said: “People with disabilities and their families have been presented with cutbacks to all services they receive over the past year, such as day and residential services, and in particular to respite services (short breaks), and have had no say in what was cutback.

“These services are not a luxury.”

The Dáil protest will meet at the Garden of Remembrance at noon before proceeding down O’Connell Street and assembling in Molesworth Street, outside Leinster House.

There, the group will hand over petition sheets to the Minister for Health Mary Harney and Minister of State for Disability John Moloney asking for a halt to the cuts.

Inclusion Ireland has also invited TDs and senators to Buswell’s Hotel after the event to discuss constituents’ concerns.

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