The Government faces unprecedented pressure from parents and mental handicap organisations to clear the waiting lists for services for thousands of people with learning disabilities.
Recently, scores of parent groups from all over the State formed the National Parents' Alliance to press for the £60 million needed to clear waiting lists.
Yesterday, the independent agencies and religious orders that provide more than 70 per cent of services for people with learning disabilities (many of whom have multiple physical disabilities as well) held a press conference in Dublin to put the case for major investment.
Parents and organisations are angry that many parents are looking after children with learning disabilities into their old age and that when both parents have died, their adult children then find themselves moved into nursing homes, psychiatric hospitals or residential institutions without warning.
Parents have long campaigned for a phased introduction to residential care for their children but the shortage of places has prevented this from happening.
They are also angry that many people with learning disabilities are given nothing to do once they reach the age of 18 but have to sit at home while on a waiting list for day services.
The Federation of Voluntary Bodies - representing the major service providers - yesterday called for a £60 million investment by 2001 to clear waiting lists.
They have been joined in the campaign by the National Parents' Alliance and by the National Association for the Mentally Handicapped of Ireland.
"At present we have 1,400 people who urgently need a suitable place to live and an additional 1,000 people who urgently need a suitable place to go each day," said federation chairman Mr Tom Hogan.
Mr John O'Dea of Western Care told yesterday's press conference that the waiting lists problem "can be solved by decisions taken between now and Budget day".
"If we don't get it now, when is it going to happen?" asked Mr Christy Lynch of the Kildare organisation KARE, echoing the views of other speakers that the boom in the economy presented an opportunity that may not come again for a long time.
Many speakers, especially parents, were angry.
"Our children are not just little insects to be trodden on," said Ms Karen Canning of the National Parents' Alliance.
"I did not give birth for my kids to be a number," said Ms Patricia O'Reilly of Helping Hands in Tallaght. "My kids have rights.
"I have two handicapped children, I look after my two elderly parents and I have rheumatoid arthritis myself," she told the meeting.