I propose to take Questions Nos. 33, 56 and 69 together.
My Department is currently involved in discussions with the Department of Health and the health boards on the transfer of the disabled person's maintenance scheme to my Department. There is considerable detail to be addressed in the arrangements for this transfer in relation to the present operation of the scheme within health boards, medical and means assessments as well as training and rehabilitation arrangements for recipients of the allowance. The transfer of data in relation to the 31,000 people at present in receipt of the allowance is in itself a complex process in that there are eight different systems in operation which are not readily compatible with my Department's central records system.
In view of the complexity of adapting eight different administrative systems to ensure the provision of one streamlined service, the transfer will not take place until the beginning of 1996. Provision for the transfer will be included in the Social Welfare (No. 3) Bill which I will introduce later this year. In that Bill I also intend to address a number of the anomalies which exist in relation to payments under the scheme. I will also take account of any recommendations emerging from the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities due to be published later this year.
There is a wide range of groups representing people with disabilities. It is intended to meet representative groups in the near future to discuss their concerns and recommendations in relation to the transfer process. I am confident that that transfer of responsibility for the disabled person's maintenance allowance scheme to my Department and the improvements to the scheme which I intend to make will achieve efficient and effective arrangements for people with disabilities dependent on the scheme.