Ivor Callely
Question:73 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the legislative and administrative priorities of his Department in 1996; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5290/96]
Written Answers. - Departmental Priorities.
My Department's priorities in 1996 are to advance towards bringing to fruition the extensive proposals, of a legislative and administrative nature, which the Government is pursuing in relation to equality, equal status and family law matters.
In particular, in equality matters, I will give special attention to the publication and enactment of the forthcoming Employment Equality Bill which will prohibit discrimination in employment on grounds of gender, marital status, family status, sexual orientation, religion, age, disability, race, colour, nationality, ethnic and national origin or membership of the travelling community. An Equal Status Bill which will deal with discrimination outside the field of employment, is being drafted at present. Follow-up action on the Report of the Task Force on the Travelling Community will be determined after consideration by the Government of the report of the InterDepartmental Working Group of Officials and, in the area of disability, I am awaiting the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, which is due to be presented at the end of April 1996, to submit specific proposals to Government relating to people with disabilities.
With regard to my legislative priorities for family law and other social matters, I have made an order bringing into effect, from 1 August 1996, the Family Law Act, 1995; publication of the Family Law (Divorce) Bill is awaiting the outcome of the appeal to the Supreme Court of the High Court decision in relation to the challenge to the result of the divorce referendum; the Powers of Attorney Bill is before the Committee on Legislation and Security, having been passed by the Seanad; and regulations are at an advanced stage of preparation to give effect to the Civil Legal Aid Act, 1995. In course of preparation are proposals for legislation on the law of nullity, guardianship and other matters in relation to children, ownership of matrimonial property and civil liability.
My administrative priorities include the further advancement in 1996 of the schemes of Civil Legal Aid and Advice and Family Mediation. Also, further funds will be provided in 1996 for the Pilot Childcare Project, administered by Area Development Management Ltd. in consultation with my Department, and for the scheme of grants to voluntary marriage counselling organisations, which is being extended in 1996 to include the provision of grant aid to those voluntary organisations which provide counselling services for children whose parents have separated. My Department will continue to be represented at international fora and will be participating in the EU Presidency in the latter half of the year.