‘A forced retreat’: Kildare Cllr comments on government’s decision to discontinue Green Paper on disability reform

A Kildare county councillor has given his view on the government’s decision to discontinue the Green Paper on disability reform.

Cllr Chris Pender, who is aligned with the Social Democrats, said that he has 'mixed feelings' regarding the government's decision to abandon the Green Paper, which referred to a set of proposals that would have implemented a tiered system dictating disability support based on work capacity assessments.

According to Cllr Pender, the Government's reversal comes after a vocal outcry from disability advocates, activists, and the wider public, highlighting significant concerns with the fairness and justice of the proposed changes.

Commenting further on the matter, the Newbridge-based representative said: "This isn’t a moment of proactive change, but rather a forced retreat from a policy that should never have been on the table.

"It’s a relief to see these plans withdrawn, but it's troubling that they were ever seriously considered.

"We should be working to enhance the rights and supports for the disabled, not constrain them within a rigid framework that evaluates their worth on productivity."

Social Democrats Cllr Chris Pender (File photograph).

Cllr Pender elaborated: "The original Green Paper had proposed categorizing individuals with disabilities into tiers based on their 'capacity to work', an approach widely criticized for its potential to marginalize those deemed less 'capable'.

"Critics, including myself argued that such a system would reinforce outdated and discriminatory views on disability, focusing too heavily on economic contribution instead of individual dignity and societal inclusion.

"Discarding the tiered system is a necessary step, but it’s not enough to simply avoid regression... we need genuine progression.

"The scrapped proposals would have risked setting back the cause of disability rights, creating divisions where we most need solidarity and support." 

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He continued: "With the establishment of a new Cabinet subcommittee on disability following the scrapping of the Green Paper, the Government appears to be resetting its approach to disability policy.

"I see this as an opportunity to reimagine how supports are administered, insisting that any new initiatives must be developed in close consultation with those they affect most directly."

Cllr Pender warned that the new subcommittee must not repeat 'past mistakes': "It is essential that we engage in a transparent, inclusive process that involves the disability community from the outset.

"Only through genuine dialogue and collaboration can we hope to develop policies that are truly reflective of the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities."

He concluded: "I remain committed to vigilant oversight of this process, ready to hold the government accountable, and ensure that any new reforms uphold the principles of equity, inclusiveness, and respect for all citizens."