Vol. 491 No. 7
187 Ms Shortall asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, made in relation to the proposed new national disability authority and disability support service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13160/98]
On 18 November 1997 I announced my intention to establish a National Disability Authority. An establishment group was set up to work on detailed proposals for establishing the National Disability Authority for submission to Government within six months. The group, which held its first meeting on 18 December 1997, has also been planning parameters for a disability support service and the transfer of certain departmental responsibilities for the training and employment of people with disabilities from the Department of Health and Children to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. The group is expected to have its proposals ready for submission to Government this month. Preliminary work on the preparation of legislative provisions, which will be required for the establishing of the Authority and the disability support service, is under way in my Department.
