asked the Minister for Trade, Commerce and Tourism the present position in regard to each of the matters referred to by him in the reply to a parliamentary question of 10 March 1981 as being undertaken at that time to mark the International Year of the Disabled to assist persons with each of the following handicaps (a) impairment of limbs, (b) deafness, (c) speech impairment, (d) blindness and (e) mental handicap; if he will state in each instance where a matter was then being referred to a committee if the committee have reported thereon; and the action taken on their report.
Written Answers. - Assistance for Disabled.
446.
My Department have continued to co-operate fully with the Departments of Labour and the Public Service and with the Civil Service Commission in their efforts to increase the employment opportunities for disabled persons in the public sector and to encourage the State-sponsored bodies to participate in the Government's efforts in this area.
In order to mark the year of the disabled Bord Fáilte published, for the disabled, a special guide to restaurants and accommodation and a guide to activities and facilities for the disabled. A special section was included in the Tidy Towns competition to encourage local communities to participate in the International Year of the Disabled. Bord Fáilte continue actively to encourage hotels, guesthouses, etc. to provide suitable facilities for the disabled; special grants are available for this purpose.