I propose to take Questions Nos. 14, 19, 30 and 35 together.
On 29 November, 1993, I announced the establishment of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. The Commission was launched on 8 December 1993.
The Commission is chaired by Mr. Justice Feargus Flood of the High Court and the membership is as follows:
Mr. Mark Blake-Knox
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Chief Executive, Cheshire Foundation in Ireland
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Ms Jacqui Browne
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Vice-Chairperson, Forum of People with Disabilities
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Ms Anne Coogan
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Hon. Treasurer, National Association for the Deaf
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Mr. John A. Cooney
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Chief Executive, South Eastern Health Board
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Mr. Paddy Doyle
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Author and Lecturer in Disability issues
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Ms Frieda Finlay
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Parent, Member of Parents Association for People with Mental Handicap and National Association for Mental Handicap in Ireland
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Mr. Michael Gogarty
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Forum of People with Disabilities and Irish Congress of Trade Unions
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Mr. David Leydon
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Arts Student, UCD
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Sr. Angela Magee
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Chairperson, Federation of Voluntary Bodies providing services to people with Mental Handicap
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Dr. Paul McCarthy
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Clinical Director of Child and Adolescent Psychiatry Service for Eastern Health Board and Lecturer in Psychiatry
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Mr. Conn. Mac Cinngamhna
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Welfare and Employee Assistance Counsellor; Founder Member of Alliance for Mental Health
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Mr. Frank Mulcahy
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Treasurer, Irish Wheelchair Association
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Mr. Seamus O'Cinneide
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Senior Lecturer, Department of Community Work, Maynooth College
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Mr. Allen O'Connor
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Disability Equality Trainer
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Ms Kathleen O'Flaherty
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Nurse and Housewife; special interest in spinal cord injuries
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Ms Margaret O'Leary
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Director, Regions and Personnel, Rehabilitation Institute
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Dr. Arthur O'Reilly
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Chief Executive, National Rehabilitation Board
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Dr. Gerard Quinn
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Law Lecturer, UCG, Specialist in disability legislation
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Ms Annie Ryan
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Parent and President, National Association for Mental Handicap in Ireland
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Ms Fidelma Ryan
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Secretary, Galway Mental Health Association
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Ms Frances Spillane
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Physical Handicap Services, Department of Health
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Ms Anne McManus
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Department of Social Welfare
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The Terms of Reference of the Commission are:
(1) to advise the Government on practical measures necessary to ensure that people with a disability can exercise their rights to participate, to the fullest extent of their potential, in economic, social and cultural life;
(2) to examine the current situation of people with a disability and the organisation and adequacy of existing services, public and voluntary, to meet their needs;
(3) to make recommendations setting out necessary changes, in legislation, policies, organisations, practices and structures to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are met in a cohesive, comprehensive and cost effective way;
(4) to establish the estimated costs of all recommendations made; and
(5) to report to the Government within a period of two years from the date of its establishment.
One of the priorities for the Commission will be to examine the adequacy of existing service provision and recommend initiatives in legislation, policy, organisation and structures to ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are met in a cohesive, comprehensive and costeffective manner.
The Commission will have an annual budget of approximately £75,000. A small secretariat is being provided to service the Commission.
The Council for the Status of People with Disabilities will serve as a forum for discussion of all issues affecting people with disabilities and will keep under review progress towards the general improvement in their situation. My Department will facilitate the establishment of the council and I expect the Commission would also wish to make an input.