Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 21 Oct 1997

Vol. 481 No. 7

Written Answers. - Disability Reports.

Breeda Moynihan-Cronin

Question:

44 Mrs. B. Moynihan-Cronin asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the report, if any, made to him by the interdepartmental committee set up to progress the recommendations of the commission for the Status of People with Disabilities; if so, the contents to the report; and when he will publish the contents of the report. [17089/97]

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

98 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to celebrate a disability day on 3 December 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16998/97]

Michael Ring

Question:

237 Mr. Ring asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current position regarding the commencement of the 402 recommendations of the commission report on physical and sensory disabilities; and the current position in relation to the interdepartmental committee set up to prioritise which recommendations will be implemented first. [16965/97]

Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform (Mr. O'Donoghue)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 44, 98 and 237 together.

With regard to Deputy Ring's question referring to the recommendations of the commission report on physical and sensory disabilities, there would appear to be some confusion here with regard to what are two separate reports. The report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities contains 402 recommendations dealing with a wide range of issues affecting the lives of people with disabilities, their families and carers. The report of the Review Group on Health and Personal Social Services for

People with Disabilities entitled Towards an Independent Future was published by the Department of Health. The review group was asked to examine the current provision of health services to people with physical or sensory disabilities and recommend how such services should be developed to meet more effectively their needs and those of their families. Both reports are being considered by the interdepartmental task force and their recommendations will be dealt with in tandem as part of the work of that task force.

The task force was scheduled to submit its plan to Government at the end of June 1997 but, following the Supreme Court finding in relation to the Employment Equality Bill, 1996, the Government asked the task force for a recommendation on how the concept of reasonable accommodation can be managed in the context of addressing discrimination against people with disabilities in employment equality legislation. The task force was invited to consider, in this regard, such matters as the need, if any, for a Constitutional amendment on this issue; the role of society in bearing costs of reasonable accommodation; the scope for a distinct statute dealing with disability to progress or supplement the employment equality provisions, and any other measure which may be appropriate. In order to assist the task force in their consideration of this issue, an officer from the Office of the Attorney General has been appointed as a member.

Having regard to the circumstances as outlined above, the task force was unable to submit a plan of action to Government by the June deadline. When I took office, I was anxious to address the issues raised by the commission's report in a constructive way and I have made arrangements to have an interim plan submitted to Government within the next month.

I am committed to the preparation of a final plan of action and, in this regard, I have asked my Department to go to tender to have the recommendations made by the commission costed. This exercise will identify costings accruing to the State, people with disabilities and their families and to third parties and will facilitate the preparation of a cohesive and cost effective strategic plan for the implementation of the commission's recommendations.

I intend to host a national information day in the week preceding 3 December. The theme of the event will be progress through partnership and the intention will be to emphasise the commitment at a European and national level to involving people with disabilities and their representatives in the formation of policy and the planning and delivery of services. The audience will include politicians at national and local level, a number of people with disabilities from whom submissions were received by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, representatives of the Irish Council of People with Disabilities, service providers, civil servants and representatives of the social partners and city and county managers and chief executive officers of health boards.