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Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 2 Dec 1997

Vol. 483 No. 6

Written Answers. - People with Disabilities.

Theresa Ahearn

Question:

86 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will make a statement on the recent meeting with Disability Federation of Ireland. [17912/97]

Derek McDowell

Question:

393 Mr. McDowell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the current status in implementing the recommendations of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21244/97]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 86 and 393 together.

The Taoiseach met a delegation from Disability Federation of Ireland (DFI) on 15 October. DFI is the national umbrella body for a number of organisations which provide a comprehensive range of services to people with disabilities. The Taoiseach was accompanied by Deputy Mary Wallace, Minister of State at my Department, with special responsibility for equality and disabilities.

A wide-ranging discussion took place on matters of concern to DFI and on issues affecting people with disabilities in general. The Government's commitment to people with disabilities and the initiatives taken by the Government since taking office were outlined by Minister of State Wallace. I note from the DFI statement in its November newsletter that it has been encouraged by its meeting with the Taoiseach and with other Ministers.

The interdepartmental task force, established to draft a plan of action on the rights of people with disabilities based on the commission's report, is continuing with its work and it is my intention to submit an interim plan to Government as soon as possible. Tenders were sought from a number of economic consultants to cost the commission's recommendations so that a comprehensive, cohesive and cost-effective plan can be drawn up. Tenders have now been received and are being examined in my Department.

The monitoring committee, established to oversee implementation of the recommendations of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, had its first meeting on 25 July this year and it has held four meetings to date. A sub-group has been set up to consider devising appropriate mechanisms to monitor implementation of the commission's report. A second sub-group has been established to advise on topics for inclusion in the proposed disability awareness campaign which will take place from 8 to 12 December, 1997. A series of regional events will be held during the week aimed at raising public awareness of disability and a video on awareness will also be produced.
On 18 November, 1997, the Government's decision to establish a national disability authority was announced. An establishment group, chaired by an Assistant Secretary from my Department, is being set up tasked with the preparation,inter alia, of detailed proposals for the establishment of the national disability authority for submission to Government within six months.
The establishment group will also examine the question of a disability support service and the transfer of certain responsibilities in relation to the training and employment of people with disabilities from the Department of Health and Children to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment.
The establishment group will be comprised of representatives of the Department of Health and Children; Enterprise, Trade and Employment; Justice, Equality and Law Reform; Social, Community and Family Affairs and Finance and will include two members nominated by me.
It is my intention that the first meeting of the establishment group will be convened prior to Christmas.
I am currently in the process of establishing a disability equality unit within my Department. The commission's report called for the establishment of such a unit to provide a focal point for disability equality policy and legislative development; to operate an interdepartmental co-ordinating mechanism; to monitor the implementation of Government decisions in relation to disability policy and to monitor the achievement of the quota for the employment of people with disabilities in the public sector. I believe that a dedicated disability equality unit is essential to promoting equal opportunities for people with disabilities.
Further funding from my Department of £100,000 in 1997 has been announced for the Irish Council of People with Disabilities, for use,inter alia in securing new accommodation suitable to its needs. The Government is fully committed to the work of the council which had already been allocated £300,000 by my Department in 1997. Its allocation for 1998, announced in my Department's Estimates, is £700,000, more than double the original 1997 allocation to the council.
Since taking office, the Government has been seeking to develop cross-departmental working mechanisms to facilitate the effective delivery of services, to minimise bureaucracy and to promote equality for people with disabilities. As a result of this commitment to cross-departmental working, it has been possible to deliver the package of measures aimed at people with disabilities which was announced recently by the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs, in conjunction with my Department.
A package of funding of £4,325,000 was announced which is expected to directly benefit eleven thousand people with disabilities, and voluntary agencies. This funding will enhance the opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve independent living and community integration.
A sum of £50,000 from this allocation was given to the Irish Council for People with Disabilities for computer equipment for their 30 county networks. The equipment will substantially improve communications between the national office and the local networks.
On 1 October 1997, the Minister for the Environment and Local Government introduced new regulations which make it an offence for a vehicle to be parked in a parking bay for a person with a disability on a public road or in a public car park, unless a parking permit for a person with a disability is displayed in the vehicle. Henceforth, abuse of these parking spaces will constitute a parking offence punishable by an on-the-spot fine.
On 5 November, the Minister for Tourism, Sport and Recreation, announced Government approval for up to £5 million in grant assistance towards the cost of a bid to host the Special Olympic summer games in Ireland in 2003. Hosting the Special Olympics would provide an exceptional opportunity to promote awareness of disability. The outcome of the bid is expected to be announced next summer.
A number of pilot community services projects aimed at people with disabilities have been established by my Department. Projects are being undertaken in Ennis, Cork City, Tallaght-Clondalkin and Cahirciveen and my Department has made funding available for the recruitment of project workers and to meet associated costs. These projects will ensure access at local level by people with disabilities to all information in appropriate formats on issues affecting their lives and will facilitate the involvement of people with disabilities in area partnerships and other community fora.
Project workers have already been appointed in Cork and in Tallaght-Clondalkin. The project worker post in respect of the pilot project in Cahirciveen has been advertised and it is anticipated that it will be filled shortly. The project in Clare received funding of £25,000 last month.
I assure the Deputies that the Government remains firmly committed to ensuring that the needs of people with disabilities, their parents and carers are comprehensively addressed and that I, and Minister of State Wallace, are determined to continue to progress this issue vigorously.
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