Centre for Disability Law and Policy,
Institute for Lifecourse and Society,
Dangan, North Campus
NUI Galway.
info.cdlp@nuigalway.ie
6th December 2019

FAO: Minister Charlie Flanagan

CC: Minister Finian McGrath

RE: Letter of support NPSA

The Centre for Disability Law & Policy at NUI Galway is writing to you in relation to the recently announced closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates. We request that you consider making available secure and sustainable funding for the Platform to avoid their closure. The Platform have exhausted all available forms of funding while retaining their unique structure of being run by, and for, persons with intellectual disabilities. Existing funding streams available to other civil society organisations would force the Platform to relinquish control to non-disabled persons. This is contrary to the ethos of the Platform and to the United Nations Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.

During the Centre’s work with the Platform for the past 6 years, the staff and students have been consistently impressed by the achievements, work ethic and dedication to social change of the members of the steering committee. As the Platform is the only organisation nationwide which is run and controlled directly by people with intellectual disabilities, we believe it is essential for this group to be supported with public funding to advance its mission and enhance its future sustainability.

The Platform has become increasingly recognised as the representative organisation of people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland, with regional and local outreach activities and a growing membership base (current membership is circa 300). Members of its steering committee have been included on the Disability Advisory Committee to the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission, the Consultative and Strategy groups of the Taskforce on Personalised Budgets, and have been actively involved in law reform, including in the development of Katherine Zappone’s Private Members Bill on sexual relationships in 2014.

In light of Ireland’s ratification of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, the State must support the development of disabled people’s organisations – organisations run and controlled directly by persons with disabilities themselves. The Platform is an excellent example of such an organisation. Similar organisations, such as People First (UK), Me Itse (Finland) and Nous Aussi (France), all receive public funding. As the Department of Justice is the body responsible for human rights and equality adherence in Ireland, I strongly urge you to consider the Platform’s request for financial support.

The Platform’s previous success in securing philanthropic funding demonstrates that it has the appropriate systems in place to ensure accountability and management of funds. It has also made impressive strides in its first five years of operation – and will continue to go from strength to strength if it secures public funding to continue its work. If you have any further questions about the Centre’s involvement and support of the Platform’s activities, please do not hesitate to contact me at the address or telephone numbers below.

Kind Regards,

Staff and Students
Centre for Disability Law and Policy, NUI Galway
091 494 009, info.cdlp@nuigalway.ie

Donna McNamara

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you as a former constituent to express my deep concern at the news that The National Platform of Self Advocates is being forced to close due to lack of funding. I implore you to consider urgent action in this regard as the...

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Tony Gapper

Dear Minister Flanagan, The closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates in January 2020 is simply an outrage, due to alleged funding concerns; which is run by individuals with intellectual disabilities for individuals with intellectual disabilities. For those...

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Jyrki Pinomaa – President Inclusion Europe

To Minister for Justice, Mr. Charlie Flanagan The UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities (UNCRPD) clearly states that all people with disabilities have the right to be included in the community. The motto of the international disability...

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Karen O’Shea

Dear Mr Flanagan From its very beginning the National Platform of Self- Advocates has sought to be an independent voice for people with disabilities and is unique in what it offers in this country. The Platform have researched, campaigned and offered their experience...

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Richard Patterson

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing in relation to the recent announcement on the day referred to by social model of disability advocates and activists as International Day of Disabled People that the National Platform of Self Advocates “will be closing down [its]...

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Charlotte May-Simera

Dear Ministers, I am writing to express my serious concern about the recent announcement of the National Platform that they must cease their activities due to a lack of funding. This is the only independent advocacy organization, established over the last 8 years,...

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Edel McSharry

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding. It is essential that this does not...

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Emma Burns

Dear Minister Flanagan, I’m writing to protest the imminent closure of the National Platform of Self-Advocates and to ask you to intervene to prevent the blow to disability rights in Ireland that this loss represents. Ireland was one of the last state parties to...

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Disabled Women Ireland

Mr Flanagan, It is with anger and sadness that Disabled Women Ireland learned of the imminent closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates. It is entirely unacceptable that a state which spends a significant amount on “disability issues” fails to find and adapt...

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Mark Kealy

Dear Minister, I am dismayed to learn that the National Platform of Self-Advocates have been forced to announce they are ceasing operations from January due to an absence of funding and support for their work. I have been involved with advocacy groups since the 1980's...

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Adrian Carroll

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you to express my concerns regarding the impending closure of the National Platform of Self-Advocates, a national organisation led by people with intellectual disabilities to represent the voice of people with intellectual...

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Maria Walls

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am deeply disappointed at the lack of on-going funding to support the extremely important work of the National Platform of Self Advocates. Similar groups exist in all other jurisdictions some called People First. They need adequate on-going...

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Paula Brennan

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding.  It is essential that this does not...

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Shelley Gaynor -ILMI

Dear Minster I am writing to you in relation to closure of National advocacy Platform. As the Former chairperson of Independent Living Movement ILMI. I know firsthand of the importance of having a disabled persons organisation to hear the true authentic voice of...

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Helen McGloin

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am urging you to engage with the stakeholders in the true spirit of partnership as suggested below by my colleague Susan Carton and ensure that this service and the valuable network and support is not lost. Best wishes Helen McGloin PhD...

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Carmel Jennings

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to let you know of my huge disappointment at the closing down of the National Platform of Self Advocates due to lack of funding. How can you justify this decision? Functioning democracy depends on citizens having equal rights and...

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Fiona Walsh

Dear Minister McGrath, I am writing to you to raise awareness of the importance of funding Disabled Peoples Organisations (DPO’s) and especially regarding the position of the National Platform of Self Advocates (http://thenationalplatform.ie/) which has stated it...

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Catherine O’Leary

Dear Minister Flanagan, I write to express my disappointment at the announced closure of the National Platform of Self Advocates, Ireland's only Disabled Persons Organization (DPO) operated by those with intellectual disability. The consultation and involvement of...

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Susan Carton

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with regard to the National Platform of Self Advocates. As I’m sure you are aware, the National Platform is having to make the decision to close in the New Year, due to a lack of funding. It is essential that this does not...

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Sarah Lennon

Dear Minister Flanagan, I am writing to you with dismay at the news that the National Platform of Self Advocates is to close after almost 9 years due to a lack of funding. The Platform has been a critical voice for people with intellectual disabilities in Ireland, a...

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