Taoiseach Micheál Martin has confirmed that the Government will not proceed with a cut of €20 million to disability services.
Fianna Fáil had called for the proposed cut to be scrapped while in Opposition, saying it would reduce services for people with disabilities.
Mr Martin was responding in the Dáil to Social Democrats TD Róisín Shortall who called for clarity about whether the "efficiency" cut announced last January would go ahead.
Ms Shortall asked the Taoiseach to put his promise in writing to disability organisations and the Health Service Executive.
The Taoiseach said ministers had discussed the cut at a meeting and the decision was made not to proceed with it.
He also said he is not happy there is no specific timelined road map in terms of the restoration of disability day services.
Taoiseach Micheál Martin says he doesn't think it is acceptable that at this stage disability day services have not reopened. He says it is his understanding that adult day services "will gradually resume through August" | More: https://t.co/Ct3ge6RYF6 pic.twitter.com/yrzfRL9Qno
— RTÉ News (@rtenews) July 29, 2020
Labour leader Alan Kelly argued that people with intellectual disabilities are being left behind due to the lack of services for them.
He told the Taoiseach "it is completely and utterly unacceptable" and that "enough is enough".
Mr Martin said he has been told by the department that work is under way to get services reopened and that day services will gradually reopen in the month of August.
The Taoiseach said the Government wants these services to reopen and that a "concrete" set of proposals are needed as to how that can happen.
Meanwhile, the Enough is Enough disability campaign gathered outside the Convention Centre, where the Dáil is sitting, to protest at the uncertainty surrounding the return of adult day services.
The services were suspended in March and since then 18,500 adults been unable to access key services such a training events, social events and exercise classes.
