Minister Roderic O’Gorman has deflected criticism of the referendum on care by saying it is not about disability which may need a separate amendment.

His comments follow a raft of criticism from NGOs that the proposal does little or nothing for people with disabilities.

“This is not a disability amendment to our Constitution, this is a care amendment. There may be a very good case for a specific disability amendment to our Constitution but that is not what we are seeking to achieve. This is about recognising care,” he said at an event in Galway.

Nonetheless, Minister O’Gorman said that the care amendment would empower Government ministers to lobby for change, and for people to take court cases.

“I believe that this will be important to empower me, and whoever succeeds me as Minister for Disability, to advocate for more investment,” he said.

“Politicians and policymakers will draw strength if this amendment is passed, but ultimately, people with disabilities will have an avenue to go to the courts, which they don’t currently have and I think that that is important”.