Entitlements

Today Ireland’s first one stop website for autism information was launched today. www.autismsupport.ie is the result of a partnership between Irish Autism Action, Gheel Autism Services, Aspire, Tuiscint (Eastern Vocational Enterprises ltd), ABHAILE/Drogheda ABACAS School for Children with Autism and Cork Association for Autism.

Sligo Champion, Wednesday December 30 2009

Family carers across Sligo are outraged and bitterly disappointed that the Government has introduced a blanket 3.9% cut to social welfare payments to all carers. This equates to a reduction of €8.50 per week or €442 per annum for carers in receipt of the carers allowance, they say.

"Family carers are the only social welfare recipients who have to work for their payment by providing full time care in the home to older people, those sick and disabled and have already suffered a 2% decrease in welfare payments due to the abolishment of the Christmas bonus this year.

PARENTS of autistic children claim there has been a massive increase in the numbers being refused a vital home care allowance since the scheme was taken over by the Department of Social and Family Affairs.

The Irish Times, 6 July 2009. By Carl O'Brien.

FAMILIES OF children with autism say a change in Government policy will make it much harder to appoint appropriate tutors to help their children reach their full potential.