Find the money! Calls for a full-time disability officer in Longford

Councillors Paul Ross and Padraig McNamara proposed the joint motion at a recent meeting of Longford County Council

Calls have been made for a dedicated full-time officer specialising in the area of disability and accessibility to ensure communities across Longford are inclusive of those with limited abilities be it in areas such as planning, housing and so forth.

Councillors Paul Ross and Padraig McNamara proposed the joint motion at a recent meeting of Longford County Council calling on the council to identify a funding source for the appointment of a “full-time fully-resourced” disability and accessibility officer.

The motion was met with considerable support from their council colleagues.

Cllr Paul Ross

Addressing the chamber, Cllr Ross said, “Access in the community is very important and the person in this role would be involved in all aspects of planning, roads, Active Travel, car parks, housing."

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He added, "We passed a €2 million budget for new footpaths in Longford today, we have to have them in line with wheelchair accessible parking and with drops in the curbs, so that’s just one example of what a Disability and Accessibility Officer could do in the county. It’s a very widespread role across the local authority.”

Cllr Padraig McNamara

Cllr Padraig McNamara concurred, “This is all about people out there that need to have full accessibility. It is important to make spaces inclusive for everyone in the community. It’s a very broad role but I would love to see it come to fruition.”

Cllr Seamus Butler commended the motion but voiced his concern about the funding aspect.

He explained, “I would be concerned that we would have to try and fund it out of our own resources. Ideally there would be central government grants."

"It would also help our housing situation; it can take a long time to find out the needs of certain people, be it suffering illness or in any way need change to a kitchen or a bathroom, it could speed up those applications as well. It’s a very good motion."

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Cllr Peggy Nolan also supported the proposal, stating, “I take on board that funding has to come from the government but if we don’t try, then we won’t know and we won’t get it."

"Mobility issues are a huge problem for some of our tenants and somebody to identify those and to help drive those issues along with greater speed - and that’s not a criticism of the staff that’s there at the minute - but if we had someone in that role, it would go a long way."

"If you have mobility issues, you can’t access your bath, can’t get in and out of your front or back door, you’re really a prisoner in your own home so this person would certainly alleviate a lot of those problems.”

Cllr Kevin Hussey also voiced his support for the motion, as did Longford County Council Cathaorileach Cllr Garry Murtagh.

In their reply, Longford County Council said they would be seeking funding from central government for the full time position.

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