Vol. 491 No. 1
98 Mr. U. Burke asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the proposed national disability authority will consist of at least 60 per cent of people with disability; if it will be chaired by a person with a disability and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11555/98]
In November 1997 the Government announced its intention to establish a national disability authority, NDA, and a disability support service, DSS. It also announced the formation of an establishment group chaired by an assistant secretary at my Department, tasked with the preparation of detailed proposals for setting up the NDA and the future location of departmental responsibility for the National
Rehabilitation Board (NRB) and the reallocation of existing NRB staff and resources to meet the requirements of the new authority for submission to Government within six months.
It would not be appropriate for me to attempt to anticipate the recommendations of the establishment group. The Government will make its decisions known following the receipt of the report from the establishment group.
I understand that the establishment group, which has been meeting since last December, is expected to complete its task within the given six month time frame.
