Vol. 493 No. 2
89 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department monitors compliance with the UN Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for People with Disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15434/98]
The UN Standard Rules on the Equalisation of Opportunities for People with disabilities offers an instrument of policy-making and action to people with disabilities and their representative organisations. These rules, though not in themselves compulsory, imply a strong moral and political commitment on behalf of States to take action for the equalisation of opportunities.
The Government's legislative commitment to people with disabilities in the employment area is set out in the Employment Equality Act, 1998. In the non-employment area the Government proposes to publish an Equal Status Bill before the end of 1998 which will deal with disability in areas other than employment.
