Sinn Féin TD for Carlow-Kilkenny Kathleen Funchion has said that people with disabilities, their carers, service providers and healthcare professionals have many questions that need answering as they plan to deal with the Coronavirus (Covid19) public health crisis.

Teachta Funchion said;

“Sinn Féin has engaged with many service providers, families and People with Disabilities over the last number of days and concerns have been raised with us relating to certainty of supports available and lack of clarity of advice thus far.

“The Disability community is extremely vulnerable and marginalised in normal times and we therefore must provide all supports and services available with current resources and capacity throughout this public health crisis to ensure whatever we can do together, we will do.

“A Disability specific and co-ordinated health, community and communications response must be developed that will allow peace of mind and comfort for all People with Disabilities, their carers and those who provide health and social care and supports to them.

“We in Sinn Féin will be bringing the concerns of the Disability Community into our meeting with the Department of An Taoiseach today and into follow-on meetings with other Government Departments over the next period of time.

“We will do all we can in Sinn Féin to ensure that we can get the Disability Community through this public health crisis with the least impact possible.”