Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 4 Nov 1997

Vol. 482 No. 3

Written Answers. - Rights of Disabled.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

396 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Education and Science the three priority areas for action in his Department for 1998 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. [17968/97]

Minister for Education and Science (Mr. Martin)

An Action Programme for the Millennium recognises that disability is one of the most important issues facing Ireland today. In keeping with this view, the Government has attached key importance to the implementation of the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities.

To ensure progress in this area, a monitoring committee comprising representatives of Government Departments, the social partners, organisations representing people with disabilities, their families and carers and service providers, is monitoring implementation of the commission's recommendations.

An interdepartmental group is also in place to assist the work of the monitoring committee. I can assure the Deputy that my Department will make a full and positive contribution to the work of these groups in pursuing the objectives of the report.

In terms of my own Department's role, the priority focus will be on: ensuring the availability of special educational support services to all children with special needs, as far as possible in their own local areas; ensuring that such services facilitate the maximum possible level of integration of special needs children into mainstream schools, while at the same time providing the necessary supports for children for whom placement in special dedicated facilities is the more appropriate response and on ensuring access to special support services for all such children, including where necessary the provision of special transport arrangements.

I am currently reviewing provision across the entire spectrum of special needs provision to ensure that all available resources are targeted to maximum effect.