Seasamh is a group representing several thousand people with an intellectual disability; Seasamh has been working towards progressing quality of life issues in areas such as choice, privacy, health and decision making, since its inception in 2003.  

A Seasamh meeting was hosted by the Kingsriver Community on Tuesday 12th May, to invite the local Carlow-Kilkenny by election 2015 candidates ( Bobby Aylward, David Fitzgerald, Breda Gardner, Patrick McKee, Malcolm Noonan, Willie Quinn and Adrienne Wallace attended)  to address an especially invited group of people, with an intellectual disability from around the South East, regarding their manifesto.

Organisations represented included Kingsriver Community, SOS Castlecomer, Access Employment Services, Carriglea Services, Anne Le Roy, Windmill TTU, L’Arche, Camphill Community, SOS Kilkenny Killure, Spring Garden, Delta Centre, National Learning Network Kilkenny, with representation from five Counties, Wexford, Waterford, Kilkenny, Tipperary, and Carlow.

Issues raised  at the meeting included rural transport, Disability allowance being returned to its original amount (it was reduced by €20.00 during the recession), equality on the housing list,  issues around lack of access to certain polling stations, general issues regarding lack of access in and around Kilkenny City, being a medieval city.  In relation to the medical card being given to children under, it was generally agreed at the meeting that people don’t agree with this, and would rather it was given to people with a disability, and those with lifelong illnesses.  The target of three percent of public service jobs, to be allocated to persons with a disability, is currently not being met.

In excess of one hundred people were in attendance, for this interesting and lively debate.  Hopefully those present, left with a more informed and enlightened idea of who will best represent people with a disability in the Carlow-Kilkenny area.