Vol. 448 No. 3
21 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the proposals, if any, he has to ensure that people with a disability have an equal opportunity to get a job, participate in education and training and avail of public transport. [1977/95]
34 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the steps, if any, he has taken to ensure that the work of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities will be equality-proofed; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [1991/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 21 and 34 together.
I have previously announced in the House that I am bringing forward legislation to extend legal redress against discrimination in relation to employment and non-employment areas. The proposed legislation will apply to persons with disabilities as well as to other groups, and will prohibit discrimination in employment, in the provision of goods, facilities and services, including recreational facilities, entertainment, transport and professional services, accommodation and the disposal of property.
The Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, which I appointed in 1993, is considering what additional action is necessary to advance the interests of people with disabilities. When I receive its recommendations, I shall examine the general situation to determine what other measures, in addition to the proposed anti-discrimination legislation, may be required by me or by other Ministers.
The Government is committed to the achievement of the 3 per cent quota for the employment of people with disabilities throughout the public sector. The latest information available to me indicates that the quota has been reached in the Civil Service and I am continuing my efforts to ensure that it is reached throughout the wider public sector.
In 1994, the Government provided £2 million for a pilot programme of supported employment of people with disabilities in viable business projects. A sum of £100,000 was also provided last year to assist voluntary organisations to improve transport arrangements for people with disabilities, particularly for adapting vehicles to facilitate easier transport of people with disabilities, to services and facilities. My Department was involved in planning the expenditure in relation to these projects.
An interdepartmental transport accessibility committee is operating under the aegis of the Department of Transport, Energy and Communications with a view to ensuring that transport in general is made more accessible to people with disabilities. My Department is represented on that committee.
I assume the reference to "equality proofing" is intended to ascertain whether the proposals and recommendations emanating from the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities will be disability proofed. I understand that this issue is currently under consideration by the commission and will be addressed in its report which is expected to be completed in the next 12 months or so. I look forward to studying the commission's views on that question and, in particular, on how the practical aspects such as costs, personnel practices and similar considerations, might be accommodated in an overall strategy.
I recently attended a very useful session of the National Economic and Social forum on equality proofing and I will ensure that its findings are taken into account in policy formulation.
On a point of order, I will be brief——
Deputy, I will not entertain a point of order at this stage. I have already intimated to the House that at this time I cannot entertain supplementary questions from any Deputy other than the Deputies who tabled questions. That is the procedure at this time, Deputy. Your point of order is irrelevant.
I totally accept that, but I ask——
No, Deputy. I now call Deputy Woods as time is precious. There is a time limit on questions.
I am denied an opportunity to ask supplementary questions and I ask if the matter can be referred to the Committee on Procedure and Privileges——
No, Deputy.
——if other questions will be taken in priority time. The position is unfair.
The Deputy may not intervene at this stage and it is disorderly for him to do so.
Is the Minister aware of a recent survey carried out by the Irish Wheelchair Association which found that 74 per cent of its members are not involved in education or training of any kind while 87.5 per cent, nearly 90 per cent, are not in open employment? Does he agree those figures represent an inequality which should be addressed now? I asked what proposals the Minister has to tackle this problem to ensure that people with a disability can avail of an opportunity to get a job at present. The Minister said he is awaiting the findings of the commission and I am certain they will be comprehensive and valuable, notwithstanding that, we are approaching a budget and in every budget there is an opportunity to do something.
In the context of the forthcoming budget, will the Minister ask his colleagues to take action to at least begin to repair the disgraceful and discrediting position whereby many people with disability cannot get employment? As the Civil Service has reached the 3 per cent target — the Department for which I had responsibility has exceeded it — in advance of the findings of the Commission, would he not consider setting the target at 5 per cent and lead in this regard? Notwithstanding that the Commission will produce a comprehensive report, further action involving cost and expenditure should be taken in the context of the forthcoming budget. That is what I would like to hear the Minister talking about.
I agree that the rate of employment of people with disabilities is unsatisfactory, but this has not arisen since 15 December 1994; that position has pertained for some time. I am taking positive steps by introducing anti-discrimination legislation that will address discriminatory practices against people with disabilities, something which has never been done before. Major work in that regard was done during the tenure of the previous Government and I am anxious that it continues and that the anti-discrimination legislation for people with disabilities is introduced as quickly as possible. I am not aware of the report to which Deputy Woods referred, but no doubt it will be brought to my notice and I will examine it carefully.
In so far as quotas are concerned, my primary concern is to bring the public sector, apart from the Civil Service, up to the 3 per cent level. At my request major initiatives have been undertaken in the Department of Health in the contest of health boards, voluntary hospitals and so on and in the Department of the Environment in the context of local authorities. It would be a major step forward if the broader public service could be brought up to the 3 per cent level achieved in the Civil Service. I agree that the Department for which Deputy Woods has responsibility has been to the forefront in going out of its way to employ people with disabilities; it has been a trail blazer in that regard. After many years of effort, the Civil Service met the 3 per cent quota during the period of the last Government.
The Programme for Competitiveness and Work addresses the question of the private sector in this regard. In the context of that programme my Department will continue to discuss with people in the private sector particularly larger firms the methods they are prepared to undertake to introduce a quota arrangement. The question of quota imposition, such as that which applies in Europe, is also under examination in my Department. The question of quota imposition, such as that which applies in Europe, is also under examination in my Department. The budget will soon be introduced and I will communicate with my colleagues in Government to ascertain what can be achieved in that regard.
We have exhausted our time for dealing with priority questions, but rather than drop Deputy Keogh's question I will ask the Minister to take it. We will then deal with Questions Nos. 23 and 24 in the category of other questions.
