Máirín Quill
Question:29 Miss Quill asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he has met representatives of INCARE in recent months; his response to their campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12284/95]
Written Answers. - Meeting with INCARE.
Robert Molloy
Question:30 Mr. Molloy asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he has met representatives of INCARE in recent months; his response to their campaign; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12285/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 29 and 30 together.
My Department is in regular contact with INCARE. Last March, the group hosted a three day international symposium entitled "Disability: Investment not Burden". I addressed the closing session of the symposium and an officer from my Department chaired a session entitled "The Economics of Independent Living".
My Department and INCARE were represented on the advisory group on personal assistance which was established by the Minister for Health to examine the organisation and funding of personal assistance services. INCARE is also represented on the working group on transport and mobility which has been set up by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities to formulate recommendations geared towards improving accessibility to transport for people with disabilities.
My Department is represented on the inter-departmental transport accessibility committee which recently facilitated the introduction of a pilot accessible omni-link bus service.
The issue of accessibility to transport for people with disabilities is, primarily, a matter for my colleague, the Minister for Transport, Energy and Communications to whom the Deputies may wish to refer their questions in this regard.