Vol. 536 No. 2
380 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the remarks by a person (details supplied) to the effect that little research on disability is being carried out here and of the lack of statistics on the numbers of people with disabilities; if he intends to redress this inadequacy; his proposals in this regard; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13597/01]
I take it that the Deputy is referring to the article which appeared in the April 2001 edition of Insight magazine. The National Disability Authority was established under the aegis of my Department on 12 June 2000. In framing the National Disability Authority Act, 1999, I was conscious of and gave particular attention to the importance of research and statistics relevant to people with disabilities. As a result, the development of research and statistical information appropriate for the planning, delivery and monitoring of programmes and services for people with disabilities are key statutory functions of the NDA.
At the launch of the NDA on 12 June 2000, the Taoiseach announced the proposed establishment of a Chair of Disability Studies at UCD and this chair, funded through my Department, has since been created. A central objective of the chair is to stimulate and promote inter-disciplinary research on disability issues in our third level institutions. This is the first such chair on this island. The authority is also in the process of awarding a number of post-graduate research scholarships to support further research in this important field.
The first strategic plan of the National Disability Authority, A Matter of Rights, was officially launched by the Minister of State, Deputy Mary Wallace, who has special responsibility for equality and disabilities, on 2 May 2001. The priorities set in the NDA's strategic plan include the development of baseline quantitative and qualitative data to inform and underpin the planning and development of policy and services for people with disabilities in Ireland, the development of protocols for effectively including people with disabilities in all aspects of research that affect them and the setting up of systems for the effective dissemination of disability research. In addition, my Department is committed, under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, to review and identify key statistical needs in relation to people with disabilities or categories of people with disabilities for the purposes of informing policy, planning and the delivery of services.
