Vol. 431 No. 6
8 Mr. Gregory asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform his views on the level of inequality experienced by young people in some inner city areas of Dublin; if he has any plans to examine this serious social problem; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
My brief on issues of inequality is drawn from those set down in the Programme for a Partnership Government dealing with equality. Its focus is on the prohibition of discrimination on the grounds of sex, marital or parental status, sexual orientation, religion, age, handicap, race, colour, nationality, or national or ethnic origins, including membership of the travelling community. I intend to pursue this commitment by amending employment equality legislation and through the introduction of an equal status Bill.
It should be emphasised that notwithstanding the brief given to my Department, the role of other Departments and public service agencies in addressing discrimination and inequality in respect of their functions and the citizens they serve is not removed.
The plight of those experiencing disadvantage, including young people in some inner city areas, will continue to be addressed through the economic and social policy measures of a range of Departments including Health, Social Welfare, Education, Environment and Enterprise and Employment.
Does the Minister accept that some inner city areas suffer multiple deprivation, most notably the north inner city, which has become a by-word for social inequality here with the highest proportion of long term unemployed in the State, the lowest percentage of participation in third-level education at 1 per cent, a rate of admission of children into care at four times the national average, a much higher mortality rate and attendance at the National Drug Treatment Centre——
The Deputy seems to be imparting a great deal of information rather than seeking it. This is Question Time.
——three times the national average? In view of the evidence of multiple social inequality and deprivation will the Minister consider setting up some form of interdepartmental group to report to him on the extent of the problem and measures that might be taken to reverse the cycle of deprivation which is a blot on our society?
The Department of Equality and Law Reform has not been given a remit or the resources to address the problems raised by Deputy Gregory. I do not deny that there are areas of social deprivation in the inner city and, indeed, in the outer county as well as in many parts of Ireland. Many aspects of the matters outlined by the Deputy such as health, social welfare, education, housing, employment and so on are the responsibility of the relevant Departments. It is open to Deputy Gregory to table questions to each of those Ministers on those issues, so far as their area of responsibility is concerned.
A brief relevant and final question from Deputy Gregory.
Does the Minister accept that the individual Departments have failed abysmally to do what he is suggesting? As the Minister said, his brief on issues of equality drawn from the Programme for a Partnership Government is not a firm commitment to eliminate inequality for all groups in society who have suffered disadvantage. In view of that does the Minister agree that a visible co-ordinated attempt at departmental or ministerial level should be made to tackle the single greatest——
That should be adequate at this time.
I can confirm that on the issues deputed to me by the Government I will be dealing with the issue of equal status in two important Bills. Those matters fall within the ambit of my Department. The other issues are being addressed and are the responsibility of other Ministers and other Departments. It is open to the Deputy to follow up those issues with the respective Ministers.
Let us now proceed to other questions to the same Minister, Question No. 9 please.
9 Miss Flaherty asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he will accede to the request from the Council for the Status of Women for a special grant to ensure that the valuable second report of the Commission is widely disseminated.
I would like to assure the Deputy that the report of the Second Commission on the Status of Women has already been widely disseminated and that considerable efforts have been made to make it accessible to the public.
One thousand copies of a guide to the report which summarised the findings in each chapter with full details of the recommendations were published and have been made available, free, to women's groups, social partners and other decision makers. The Council for the Status of Women itself received a substantial proportion of the print run of this free guide.
I can appreciate that the council would wish to generate a continuing discussion on the report's recommendations among its member organisations. With that end in mind the council has approached me with an outline proposal for a series of workshops on the report to take place at different locations around the country. I have already advised the council that it will not be possible to increase its operating grant for 1993 but, apart from that, my Department would be happy to assist the council in any way possible to realise its aim. I have also advised the council that I will give sympathetic consideration to an increase in its grant in 1994.
I am disappointed that the Minister is not able to do anything immediately but I welcome the indication that he will do something in relation to this in 1994. Given the tremendous demands on the existing small budget of the council, does the Minister believe it is reasonable to expect that they will be able to undertake this desirable work from their own resources? Further, is the Minister aware that the 1,000 copies have been distributed and that there are no further copies available for the many groups who deserve access to this information?
I sympathise with the object of the Deputy's question. Within the resources available I will be very happy to assist her in any way I can. I do not think the 1,000 copies have been distributed. Many large organisations, including trade unions, the ICA and so on, are affiliated to the council. They have the resources and, I am sure, will make arrangements to debate the report fully and communicate their findings back to the council. I am fully supportive of the work of the Council for the Status of Women and am anxious to assist it in any way I can. I am in communication with them on a regular basis and I have indicated that I will see what may be done to increase their grant-in-aid in 1994 subject, of course, to the budgetary situation.
Given the importance of the recommendations in this report and that only 1,000 copies were made available for dissemination to various groups, how does the Minister intend to make the recommendations known to people living in rural areas who do not belong to organisations and who will not have access to the report unless the Department makes funds available to ensure they do? Why should it be necessary for a person to be a member of an organisation to have access to this report? If we are to get an adequate feedback on the recommendations they must be fully available to people outside organisations. What means has the Minister of doing that?
Is the Deputy suggesting that a copy should be circulated to every woman in Ireland?
It should be circulated to every man in Ireland.
That shows how little the Minister understands my question.
Did every man in the Dáil get one?
I understand the Deputy's question all too well. A very large number of organisations is affiliated to the Council for the Status of Women and they have all received free copies of the document. The question of having a further print run might have to be considered in consultation with the Department of the Taoiseach. However, it has been well disseminated and the extensive network of groups is very much involved with it, as is my own Department. The Council for the Status of Women is a very broadly based representative organisation. I am not sure how many constituent organisations are within it but, as far as I recall, it is a very substantial number. I was at its annual general meeting and saw the representation. Any woman who is interested is well aware of what is going on, the work that will proceed in the years ahead to highlight various aspects of the report will be undertaken in a wide variety of ways through many of the constituent organisations. I would be prepared to help with that in any way I can and if something can be done next year I will certainly do it.
Will the Minister acknowledge that to leave it for another year is inadvisable because all sorts of things can happen in a year and there may be other priorities by then? The report was produced after a considerable period and it is important to disseminate it as quickly as possible.
Does the Minister not feel that there is an anomaly whereby there appears to be unlimited funds for the Taoiseach to travel abroad with his entourage, for questionable returns, while the Council for the Status of Women which is doing such a valuable job cannot travel within the country to provide women and men with the information and workshops that are needed to inform people of this valuable document? Will the Minister consider——
Did the Taoiseach take a copy to Malaysia?
Does the Minister consider that it would be appropriate to approach the Taoiseach in regard to allocating a certain amount of funding for this important work?
I do not agree that there is an anomaly. It is appropriate for the Taoiseach and other Ministers of State to promote Ireland to secure trade arrangements. If the Taoiseach and appropriate Ministers did not do that——
This is irrelevant.
The question was asked, a Cheann Comhairle. I thought that I would respond to it.
The Taoiseach should promote women's rights. He is committed to this document. He should put his money where his mouth is.
Of course he is committed to the document, I am committed to the document and the Government is committed to the document. All appropriate steps are being taken within the ambit of my Department to monitor it, recommendation by recommendation, Department of Department. Likewise, the Council for the Status of Women and its constitutent organisations have received 1,000 copies of the document free so that every constituent organisation of the council has received at least one copy, in many cases considerably more than that. It is an ongoing process which will continue for the remainder of this year and into next year. This House will have an oppportunity from time to time to review that position. I will be able to report the progress on these recommendations and I hope the House will be well satisfied in this regard as time passes. Already progress has been made, even within the short time since the report was issued.
I am glad to hear of the Minister's commitment. However, at a recent meeting of the ICA there were not enough copies of the summary report available to the women attending the meeting. I will ask the Minister to consider ordering a reprint as, clearly, not enough copies are available? The Minister's commitment must be given practical expression and one way is to make the report available and ensure that all those who wish to have a copy get it so that the recommendations can be discussed and a fruitful debate ensues. Did all senior civil servants get a copy of the summary report?
What is the cover price of the report?
It is £12.50 which is expensive, I agree, but it is available in all public libraries. As to the Deputy's question, is it being seriously suggested by any Opposition Deputy that senior civil servants who have responsibility for implementing the report should not have a copy of it?
I wanted to ensure that they had. There is a shortage of copies.
Of course, they have it. Is it not entirely appropriate that they should have it having regard to the fact that they have the responsibility of implementing it? The level of the question leaves a lot to be desired.
I welcome the indication in regard to funding. I would like the Minister to take up the question of a second print run with the Taoiseach's office in view of the fact that there are no further copies available for further dissemination unless people start photocopying. In view of the importance of the workshops and the level of misinformation about this report which is for all women, not just for one group of women, it is extremely important that those workshops go ahead so that the misinformation is corrected, that justice is done to the report and that women are not unrealistically divided.
I can only repeat what I said. I will certainly make inquiries of the Taoiseach's Department as to whether it would be feasible to do a reprint. I cannot give any commitment on it.
Regarding the monitoring of this report and the implementation of its various recommendations, can the Minister give a date for the publication of a first report on how his Department is proceeding with prioritising the various recommendations?
There is a question tabled dealing with that matter.
