Taoiseach Leo Varadkar and Fianna Fáil leader Micheal Martin have become embroiled in a war of words over supports for the disabled and people with intellectual disabilities. Mr Martin raised the huge delays for children and adults with Mr Varadkar and claimed the government lacked "vision" and a plan for the disabled and those with intellectual problems. Furthermore, he told Mr Martin he should be “ashamed” of his party's record when it came to supporting such services. Mr Varadkar said an unprecedented €2bn was now going towards disability services. But Mr Varadkar, defending the coalition's actions, said funding for suicide prevention services and supports had risen by 44% over the last seven years.

Source: Irish Examiner October 16, 2019 13:07 UTC