Vol. 469 No. 4
7 Ms O'Donnell asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform when the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities will be published; if he has received the report from the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17301/96]
9 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform when the Council for the Status of People with Disabilities will be established. [17286/96]
14 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform when the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities will be published; if he has received the report from the commission; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17285/96]
15 Mr. Callely asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform his views on whether legislation should be introduced to prevent discrimination against people with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17214/96]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 14 and 15 together.
I understand that the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities hopes to be in a position to publish its report around mid-November. I have not received a copy of the report but, when it has been presented to me, I can assure the Deputy that its recommendations will receive very careful consideration from me and from my colleagues in Government.
The level of interest in the proposed Council for the Status of People with Disabilities has exceeded all expectations. The extra time and resources required to respond to the unprecedented demand by people with disabilities for inclusion in the process was evident by last June to the ad hoc establishment group who are overseeing the setting up of the interim council. For this reason and, in consultation with me, it decided to defer the launch of the interim council until early 1997. However, it is hoped to have the county networks and the national board in place by the end of 1996. The formal launch of the interim council will, I am informed, take place at the end of March 1997. In the meantime, however, both county networks and the national board will have met and started their work.
I recently published the Employment Equality Bill which will prohibit discrimination in employment on a range of grounds, including disability. I intend to publish the Equal Status Bill which will prohibit discrimination on the same grounds in non-employment areas before the end of the year.
When the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities has issued its report the Government will consider what further legislation is necessary to secure the rights of people with a disability.
Why has there been a delay in the publication of the report by the commission? Is this due to a particular difficulty or the pressure of work? I was glad to hear of the overwhelming response to the proposed Council for the Status of People with Disabilities — this did not surprise me — but I am disappointed that it will take longer than anticipated to set up the council.
One of my questions today related to the centre for independent living and the cap on the Rehab lottery prize money. The Minister said that these matters do not come within his specific remit but, given his overall responsibility for the issue of disability, will he take on board the urgent need for the establishment of the centre for independent living and the enormous damage the cap on lottery prize money is causing to Rehab and, as a result, to the prospects of the many people with the disabilities who wish to be trained, find employment and be productive members of society? Does the Minister agree it is very important to address those issues and to explain why there has been a delay in the publication of the commission's report?
I agree with the remarks made by the Deputy about the Rehab lottery prize money and the centre for independent living. The Deputy should consider raising these issues with the relevant Ministers.
The commission's report should be available shortly. I do not know if there has been a delay in its publication but the commission has been doing extensive work. It often meets in my Department and I see its operations. One has to remember that this report will be very extensive and will in every way be comparable to the report of the Second Commission on the Status of Women. In other words, it is designed to, and will, cover all aspects of the lives of people with disabilities. It is a major undertaking and one must take into account the enormous range and spectrum of disabilities, for example, physical disabilities, mental disabilities etc. and all aspects of the lives of disabled persons. It is an extensive operation and I have asked the commission to take the greatest possible care with it, which it will do. It has carried out extensive research, had listening exercises and met with the many organisations, representatives etc. From what I hear it has done a remarkable job and when the report is published it will be a benchmark for many years to come, just as the report of the Second Commission on the Status of Women was in the lives of women.
What consultation has taken place between the Minister and the representatives of people with disabilities? In terms of the overall situation for the disabled community, how representative are these contacts? What contact has the Minister had with people who suffer from cerebral palsy? In excess of 100 children are born with this condition every year. Will the Minister elaborate on the contacts he has had with the disabled community?
The responsibilities of my Department in terms of people with disabilities is on the anti-discrimination side. That is the reason I set up the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities and propose to introduce two protective measures, the Employment Equality Bill and the Equal Status Bill. The Minister for Health has a major role in this area in so far as funding, health care etc. are concerned and the thrust of the Deputy's points may be more appropriate to the aspects of the matter dealt with by him.
I have ongoing contacts with disability organisations. My officials and I meet with them from time to time, while I attend their functions and meetings whenever I can and listen to what they have to say, which is extremely important. The commission has done this on a wide ranging basis. It conducted listening exercises which were attended by enormous numbers of people, many of whom said it was the first time a Government organisation or representative had asked their views on matters and was prepared to listen to what they had to say. This new and very important development was initiated through the formation of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities.
I have ongoing consultations with the many organisations dealing with cerebral palsy. There are many organisations dealing with the entire spectrum of categories of people with disabilities. This is an ongoing development and it will be an ongoing procedure in my Department.
What consultation has taken place between the Minister and the Minister for Social Welfare in order to assess the adequacy of State financial support for people with disabilities? This is a very important area and reference was made earlier to the shortage of funding on a personal and global basis. Has the Minister had any discussions with the Minister for Social Welfare on this very important issue?
The allocation of social welfare moneys and the setting of rates are matters for the Minister for Social Welfare and the Minister for Finance. These matters are outside the remit of my Department in so far as the specifics are concerned but my officials and I have ongoing consultation and contract on all aspects of the lives of people with disabilities and I am sure the commission's report will address the question of financial supports. If the Deputy has a particular question on social welfare for people with disabilities he should address it to the Minister for Social Welfare who has responsibility in that area.
Each time I have asked a question the Minister has said I should address it to another Minister. He has responsibility for Equality and Law Reform matters and people are not satisfied with the progress being made in these areas. It is easy to refer me to another Minister but the Minister has responsibility in this area and he has not articulated his real concerns or given me convincing replies to my questions.
