Dublin South West TD, Seán Crowe, has today reiterated his call on the government to reverse their decision to abolish the Rehabilitative Training (RT) allowance for young people entering further education in September.

The Sinn Féin TD described €220,000 spent annually on the scheme as a pittance in government spending, particularly when you look at the squandering of tax payers money by this government, such as the €60 million wasted on an legally questionable public services card, and the  overspend of  hundreds of millions  on the new National Children’s Hospital.

Deputy Seán Crowe said:

“Disability groups have met government officials to pressure them to overturn their decision to axe the rehabilitative training payment for young people.

“I fully support the groups and the young people involved and hope that the right decision is made.

“I have talked to a number of families and individuals who will be impacted negatively by this decision. I understand completely the hardship that the axing of this €31.80 weekly payment will have on young people and their ability to access further education.

“The financial saving from axing this payment is a pittance compared to the individual societal and developmental assistance that this payment provides for young disabled students. This is a cruel cut on some of the most vulnerable people in society.

“We are talking about an annual saving of €220,000.

“This is coming from a government that has squandered €60 million on a now legally questionable public services card, has overspent hundreds of millions at least on the new National Children’s Hospital, and has entered into a cost ineffective national broadband plan. It now has the brass neck to target some of our most marginalised citizens for a paltry sum.

“I am calling for the government to reverse their cruel decision to abolish the RT allowance for young people entering further education in September.”

ENDS