A total of 667 people with intellectual disabilities are "incarcerated" in psychiatric hospitals, the Labour leader, Mr Pat Rabbitte, claimed.
He added that of the total number of people with disabilities, 10 per cent, or 2,500, got no special support at all and there were 515 people on waiting lists for day and residential services. "The database shows that the list of needs continues," he added.
Mr Rabbitte paid tribute to the Special Olympics, praising the "courage and dignity of the participants and the energy and commitment of the volunteers."
He added that the Taoiseach was aware that concerned people in the disability sector had pinned a lot of hope on the much-promised Disability Bill which had not yet been seen. He asked Mr Ahern to agree to meet the disability legislation consultation group before the games were over.
"This would send out a powerful message that he does not intend to let the issue of disabilities slip back down the political agenda as soon as the games are over," said Mr Rabbitte.
Mr Ahern said he had spent six years directly involved with the games committee. "I am glad that through this period I took the political flak and invested money in Croke Park, Abbotstown and other centres so that we would have the Special Olympics."
He added that he had met representatives of disability groups. "They asked me if I would meet representatives of the full group and I agreed I would. I give that assurance to the deputy also. I will continue to keep an interest in this issue. While an enormous amount has been done in recent years, there is a huge amount still to be done in the residential care, respite and education areas. The work must continue."
Mr Ahern said the Education Disability Bill was fairly well agreed with the various bodies, although there was one outstanding issue between the representative groups. "There are more outstanding issues in the Disability Bill. Progress can be made and I assure the deputy that I will continue to work closely with the groups for whom I have great admiration."
He added: "I try to understand the difficulties, but it is not easy when one has not got a direct family member involved. I understand what is being said, but one cannot experience it unless one is in that position. The individual stories are not easy to listen to, never mind to have to live with ... We have been trying to resolve them."
