Vol. 429 No. 4
140 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Health if he has received submissions on, or if he intends to transfer responsibility for services to people with a disability to another Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
The Programme for a Partnership Government recognises the importance of facilitating people with a disability to express their full citizenship and gives a commitment to eliminating inequality for all groups in society who have suffered from disability or disadvantage.
The Minister for Equality and Law Reform has responsibility for seeing that equality becomes a reality through institutional, administrative and legal reform. Traditionally lead responsibility for persons with a disability has been the responsibility of the Minister for Health including the provision of health services.
Discussions as to the relative responsibilities of the two Departments are ongoing.
