Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Disability Awards.

Jan O'Sullivan

Question:

70 Ms O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the substance of the nomination of Ireland for the Franklin D Roosevelt Disability Award for 1998; if he will acknowledge the role of the Irish Council of People with Disabilities in drafting the nomination; if he will inform Dáil Éireann of any stipulations attached to the award which Ireland has won; the way in which the money will be spent; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11552/99]

Paul Bradford

Question:

287 Mr. Bradford asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the State has received an international disability award from the United States; if so, the details of the award; and when it was received. [11400/99]

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

I propose to take Questions Nos. 70 and 287 together.

I am pleased to announce that Ireland is the recipient of the Franklin Delano Roosevelt International Disability Award for 1998 and the award is being presented to President McAleese in a ceremony in New York today. The Government will be represented at the ceremony by Ms Mary Wallace TD, Minister of State with Special Responsibility for Equality and Disability. The award, which includes a bust of Franklin Delano Roosevelt and prize money of $50,000, is presented annually to a nation that makes noteworthy national progress towards the goal of full participation of citizens with disabilities as encouraged by the United Nations World Programme of Action Concerning Disabled Persons which was adopted unanimously in the UN General Assembly in 1982.

Ireland was selected for the award because of its progress in raising consciousness about the needs and aspirations of people with disabilities and enhancing their full acceptance in society. I readily acknowledge the role of the Irish Council of People with Disabilities in nominating Ireland for the award.

The prize money is to be presented by the President for an outstanding non-governmental disability programme in Ireland. The Government, in consultation with the Office of the President, has decided to award the prize money to Special Olympics Ireland in recognition of their achievements in promoting the inclusion of people with disabilities and, in particular, to mark the recent announcement that Ireland is to host the Special Olympics World Summer Games in 2003.