Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rights of Disabled.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

348 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation the three priority areas for action in 1998 in his Department in view of the Government's commitment in An Action Programme for the Millennium, page 18, People with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [17923/97]

Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation (Dr. McDaid)

In its Action Programme for the Millennium, the Government has emphasised the importance it attaches to ensuring that the needs of people with disabilities are comprehensively addressed. This is further demonstrated by the Government's decision to assign responsibility for equality and disability issues to a specific Minister of State at the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform.

My Department is fully committed to ensuring that disability issues are taken into account in the areas for which it has responsibility. This process will continue to be channelled largely through the Department's ongoing and active participation in the Interdepartmental Task Force, operating under the auspices of the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform, which is overseeing implementation of the recommendations contained in the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities.