Willie Penrose
Question:92 Mr. Penrose asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his role in formulating budgetary policy for meeting the needs of people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15448/98]
Written Answers. - Rights of People with Disabilities.
This Government, in its programme — An Action Programme for the Millennium — committed itself to the implementation of the Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities.
In this context the Government appointed Deputy Mary Wallace as Minister of State at my Department and she has been given special responsibility for equality and disability. Having regard to her mandate in relation to disability the Minister of State has regular discussions with other Government Ministers and with senior officials in other Government Departments concerning the needs of people with disabilities and the possibility of official action to meet those needs.
Also, there is a plan of action in preparation by an interdepartmental task force, established under the auspices of my Department, which will advise the Government as to the form which Government policy in relation to people with disability might take for the future and the costs of such policies. It is anticipated that the plan of action will be completed in the next few weeks and will be presented to Government soon afterwards.