Sorcha Ward

Interested in disability issues. Advocate for disabled people

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

Few options for school leavers with Intellectual Dis. They should not be called service users at 18, or be locked in a building all day long

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@thejournal_ie Who is the head of the health service?. You would wonder

[Care Champions Ireland @CareChampions2]

At the start of #CarersWeek, let’s talk about what family carers are actually going through.

Behind closed doors, there is an older wife/husband caring for their spouse while their own health suffers. There is a parent doing everything for their child. There is a working adult giving up their career and financial security because there is no other choice. There are people surviving on adrenaline and lack of sleep and financial worry.

We do it out of love, but the system takes advantage of that love. We are forced to fight the government and the system until we break, begging for a few hours of relief, a basic payment, or help with an appointment.

The lack of political will to support carers is devastating.

This Carers Week, we don’t need empty platitudes or pats on the back. That doesn't change our reality. We need the commitments made to us to be followed through. Let's make Carers Week 2026 about real, positive action. 🤝💜

#CarersWeek #CareChampions #CarersMatter @kodonnellLK @MichealMartinTD @SimonHarrisTD

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

Carer's support grant being paid this week at a cost of €336million. Family Carers Ire estimate carers saving the State 20bn a year. What is being paid out this week is 1.68% of that saving. It is time caring was classed as a job with a wage that reflected that work

[Care Champions Ireland @CareChampions2]

Right now, Govt TDs and the media are flashing headlines about the annual Carer’s Support Grant landing this week.

Family carers across Ireland are being forced to choose between heating their homes or putting food on the table. Electric bills are piling up, stress is through the roof, and that grant disappears in seconds on a single tank of heating oil or a lagging bill. It doesn't or just about covers one week of nursing home respite for a burnt-out carer.

The official data proves it is a lack of political will.

Out of 34 major Programme for Government commitments assessed by Family Carers Ireland:

0 commitments were actually fully achieved.

13 received a score of "No Progress"—including zero progress on increasing the annual Carer's Support Grant.

4 have actively gone backwards, marked as "Regressive"—including cuts/failures in personal assistance hours and tackling disability waiting lists

Meanwhile, Look at the State Waste...
While carers budget to the exact cent, millions of euros of taxpayer money are mindlessly squandered on administrative failures:

To name just a few 👇

€336,051 on a single bike shed at Leinster House.

€1.43 million on a single security hut at Government Buildings.

€490,000 for a perimeter wall at the WRC (including a €290,000 budget overrun).

€1 million+ on the Oireachtas printer (€808k for the unit + €230k to structurally alter the building just to fit it inside).

€6.7 million on an Arts Council IT system that was abandoned and NEVER used.

€125,000 on a National Gallery scanner that sat idle for EIGHT YEARS because they forgot to build a room for it.

€22 million on non-functioning pandemic ventilators, plus €50,000 in ongoing fees just to store useless equipment.

€2.5+ BILLION on the National Children’s Hospital, a historic, multi-billion euro budget overrun.

Family carers are facing a severe housing crisis, rising living costs, and a total failure by the state to deliver statutory and promised care schemes, as carers are left worn out fighting a system that doesnt care.

The money exists. The resources exist. The political will does not.

It is time to stop wasting millions on bike sheds and printer rooms, and start looking after the people who are saving the state billions every single year.

@kodonnellLK @NormaFoleyTD1 @FineGael @fiannafailparty

#FamilyCarers #CostOfLiving #StateWaste #CarersSupport #CareChampions #ValueCarers

https://t.co/fYyQYMD55l

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@Louisehassan4 @50SavesOfDeGea Agree, it's despicable

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@MaryERegan Isn't it well for them

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@RTE_PrimeTime oh for flip sakes, Derek Mooney

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@ExaminerSport He's right

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

https://t.co/7AyTvoVeSr

[Gareth Noble @GarNob]

Opening up my first email of the day and it’s confirmation from the HSE that a little four year old boy who has very defined needs after assessment will be given his first OT appointment in June 2030!!!

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@RTELateLateShow drawn out

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@MichealLehane Didn't see him getting grilled like mcEntee did this morning

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@Eintrachtrob @MichealMartinTD Sure if nobody voted for him he wouldn't be taoiseach. But they did

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

Opposition parties are quiet. Persume that means they are standing with the Government #fuelprotest

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@Louisehassan4 Great to get out and about on such a lovely day

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@MOKEarlyYears Agree. It's way out of hand. I'm afraid the people supposedly running the country haven't a clue what's going on on the ground

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

I think the headline should read, hundreds of children could be left without school places. Every child is entitled to an education, so children alone is enough, then people will sit up and take note

[Irish Independent @Independent_ie]

Hundreds of children could be left without special school places in September after ‘unprecedented demand’ https://t.co/5zd5mUw9aD

[Mary Regan @MaryERegan]

Mary Regan: Government passes the blame on SNA policy, but some damage cannot be reversed https://t.co/AUgNzSsBwA

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@SaturdayRTE special education, additional education. Special or additional to what?. The very reason we use these words is absolutely the reason we are in such a mess now. Education for all, despite how the students learn, put in the resources for all children

[Dr Tom Clonan @TomClonan]

Great Analysis From Mary Regan: SNA controversy exposes State’s ingrained attitude to people with disabilities -✊Quote ‘the historically ingrained belief that what the State offers to those with greatest need is a benefit, rather than an essential right’
https://t.co/9QMQ0Vouw1

[Sorcha Ward @SorchaWard1]

@MCOR1963 Absolutely agree. But nobody is ever held to account. Always protected by an apology