Vol. 415 No. 8
41 Mr. R. Bruton asked the Minister for Health whether he favours the introduction of legislation to underpin the rights of persons with a disability to every reasonable opportunity to participate in all aspects of community life; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Programme for Economic and Social Progress provides that the Government will examine, in consultation with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions and the organisations representing people with disabilities, how best the rights of people with disabilities can be promoted.
My Department have had preliminary discussions with other Government Departments, which provide services to people with disabilities and with the Irish Congress of Trade Unions on this matter and will in the near future be consulting the major organisations representing people with disabilities.
At this stage I have an open mind on the introduction of specific legislation in this area. I must say that I have some reservations as to the value of the type of legislation that is sometimes referred to as a Bill of Rights for the Disabled. These frequently amount to little more than a statement of intent on a broad range of issues which do not directly improve the position of people with disabilities.
I shall await the outcome of the ongoing discussions under the Programme for Economic and Social Progress and consider the matter further in the light of those discussions.
Within my area of responsibility, a number of initiatives are being taken to improve the position of people with disabilities.
An additional cash injection of £10 million is being provided this year to improve services for people with a mental handicap. This is the most significant annual increase ever for these services.
The need to update our mental health legislation is currently under review. An important objective of any new legislation will be to provide a legal framework for the psychiatric service envisaged in the "Planning for the Future" report. The law governing the detention of mentally ill persons will need to be updated to reflect more fully modern day thinking in relation to individual freedom and to meet our obligations under various international conventions.
I am conscious of the need for improvements in the range and quality of services available to people with physical and sensory disabilities. I intend, within the next few weeks, to establish a review group to make recommendations for their expansion and improvement within the framework of the commitments in relation to the physically disabled contained in the Programme for Economic and Social Progress.
I should like to tell Deputy Bruton that I read his document, "A Coherent Policy for People With Disability", which is most interesting. I hope to be able to benefit from that document in providing information to the review group.
Has the Minister read my paper?
I thank the Minister for his comments. Before my first question I should have welcomed the Minister to the House on his first occasion answering questions as Minister for Health. Does the Minister agree that time and again people with a disability have to take second place for access to taxis and to buildings, for the right to education and for access to services? Does he agree we are only starting on the road to addressing the needs that have been identified by the Government? Would he not agree that a Bill of Rights would at least ensure that these people are not asked to take second place in regard to those rights?
I introduced a private Members' motion on rights for the disabled in 1979. The rights do not necessarily have to be in legislation, but I am open to correction. I will welcome further recommendations on it. The disabled are badly done by in terms of rights and resources. We will look at this area very seriously and consider whether a Bill of Rights is the answer. I have an open mind on the subject but I have not all the information from the Department.
Would the Minister not agree that his first thoughts on this matter in 1979 were better than his doubts now?
No. I have been in the Department a few days only but they have told me from their experience and from the experience of previous Ministers that legislation may not necessarily be the answer. I am open to being influenced by them but I will bear in mind what the Deputy said. I am very impressed with his document and will bear it in mind. If a Bill of Rights is the answer we will certainly introduce one.
