Dáil Éireann debate -
Thursday, 26 Feb 1998

Vol. 487 No. 8

Written Answers. - Grant Aid.

Paul Bradford

Question:

105 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department's attention has been drawn to the fact that many disabled people would utilise word processors and other technology if they could afford the cost; and if he will provide grant aid for these people. [5378/98]

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

The report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities has noted that technology can play a major role in helping people with disabilities to secure equal status in most areas of life and society. It considered the present system of delivering assistive technology to people with disabilities to be inadequate and recommended that the Department of Social, Community and Family Affairs and the Department of Public Enterprise introduce legislation to ensure access to assistive technology, including financial access.

The Government has demonstrated in many practical ways its commitment to promoting independence and community integration for people with disabilities. In this context, in the latter part of 1997, it was possible to deliver a package of measures, costing £4.325 million, which will enhance the opportunities for people with disabilities to achieve independent living and community integration. This package included an additional grant of £50,000 paid to the Irish Council of People with Disabilities for computer equipment for their county networks. The equipment will be used,inter alia, in the training programmes it will provide under the Horizon project.