Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 30 Jun 1998

Vol. 493 No. 3

Written Answers. - Disability Support Service.

Frances Fitzgerald

Question:

388 Ms Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he will establish the national disability authority; and the provision, if any, made to ensure that people with disabilities will be represented on this body. [15821/98]

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

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 — its staff and assets; and for the reallocation of existing NRB staff and budgetary resources to meet the requirements of the new authority, with functions as recommended in the Report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities for submission to Government within six months. The establishment of the NDA and a DSS were key recommendations of the commission's report.

The establishment group for the National Disability Authority and a disability support service held its first meeting on 18 December 1997. It has continued to meet frequently since then with a view to fulfilling its task of reporting to Government with detailed proposals for the establishment of the new authority and support service, as recommended by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. The group is planning to submit its report to the Government in the next few weeks.