Much has been achieved in the area of disability since the Government took office and I am committed to continuing the momentum that has been generated and to making further progress in this area. There has been significant progress in the implementation of the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. In November 1997 and July 1998 we made significant announcements regarding the key infrastructural recommendations of the report relating to the National Disability Authority and a disability support service.
Considerable progress has also been made towards achieving our commitments on the issue of mainstreaming training and employment for people with disabilities and the provision of a comprehensive information service. The establishment of a permanent representative council of people with disabilities in 1999 is also being facilitated and funded by my Department. In addition, six pilot projects relating to people with disabilities are being funded by the Department in line with the commission's recommendations. Four relate to the information area and two relate to the cross-sectoral planning for delivery of services, such as in the transport area.
A plan of action on the rights of people with disabilities, based on the report, is to be presented to us by the end of next February and it is our intention to submit that to Government as soon as possible thereafter.
We are also involved in monitoring the 3 per cent quota for people with disabilities in the public service and are in the process of establishing a monitoring committee in that regard. Much has happened in this area, particularly with the announcement of the National Disability Authority and the disability support services and all that will happen in terms of building a future together for the equality of people with disabilities.
We have allocated £160,000 to four of the pilot projects and £45,000 to the other two. The commission also recommended community action plans. I assure the Deputy that the Government is committed to radical change to ensure the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities, their families, carers and advocates are comprehensively addressed. We are working across all Departments to ensure the recommendations made by the commission are implemented.