Vol. 569 No. 3
296 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if he will work closely with the Disability Federation of Ireland in order to assist it with income, accommodation and rehabilitation for people with mental illness, community employment, child carers, young chronic sick and grants for all people with disabilities; and if he will work closely with other Departments to make social inclusion a reality. [17407/03]
Officials from my Department meet regularly with the Disability Federation of Ireland to discuss the health and personal social service needs of people with a disability.
Since the publication, in 1996, of the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, major advances have been made in addressing the needs and rights of people with disabilities in this country. While much remains to be done, that report established the foundation, and provided the impetus that was required to address the social and economic rights of people with disabilities in Ireland.
The Employment Equality Act 1998 and the Equal Status Act 2000 with their specific provision for protecting the equality rights of people with disabilities, provide the legal basis on which rights of people with disabilities to social and economic integration can be progressed. The establishment of the National Disability Authority by the Government in June 2000 and the decision to mainstream services for people with disabilities will, over time, have a significant impact on the range and quality of public services available to people with disabilities.
An important development arising from the mainstreaming of services for people with disabilities has been the assignment of responsibility for vocational training and employment services for people with disabilities to the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment. People with disabilities wishing to access employment, whether it be supported, sheltered or in the open labour market can now call on the full range of FÁS employment support services to assist them.
Overall, there is a positive momentum of initiatives in motion at present and their aims are to advance the rights of people with disabilities in order to achieve an equality of regard within our society.
My Department works in close co-operation with the other relevant Departments on matters in relation to people with disabilities.
297 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Health and Children if the respite services for a person (details supplied) in Dublin 3 will be expanded, in view of the fact that 11 nights per year is not adequate for a child with intellectual and physical disability. [17429/03]
Responsibility for the provision of services to persons with an intellectual disability or autism in the Dublin region lies with the Eastern Regional Health Authority. My Department has, therefore, asked the chief executive of the authority to investigate the matter and reply directly to the Deputy.
