Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 11 May 2004
326 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the talks with the disability groups; and if the Government has decided on a date for the publication of the disability Bill. [13176/04]
View answerThe agreed programme for Government established the Government's commitment to complete consultations on the disability legislation and to bring an amended Bill through the Oireachtas. As the deputy will be aware, the Government has facilitated extensive consultation nationally in relation to disability legislation, giving disability groups and the disability legislation consultation group, DLCG, in particular an opportunity to present their proposals for a disability Bill.
In April 2002 the Government appointed an expert consultation team to oversee the national consultation process. This comprised experts in legal, economic and social affairs. The team met and received the views of the stakeholders, including the DLCG, the social partners, the community and voluntary sector and relevant Departments before completing its task in February 2003.
Many Deputies will know that the DLCG is a group representative of people with disabilities, their families, carers and service providers which was brought together by the National Disability Authority, NDA, to facilitate dialogue at national level, both within the sector and with the consultation team. Broad ranging consultations took place in 2002 and early 2003 following which the DLCG presented the document Equal Citizens — Proposals for Core Elements of Disability Legislation in February 2003.
Last year, the DLCG had meetings with a number of members of the Government, including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, and the Minister of State, Deputy Tim O'Malley. The discussions at these meetings covered such matters as assessment of need, standards, service provision, the need to build capacity in key sectors of the public service so as to allow provision of disability accessible services in a cost effective way and workable redress mechanisms.
Earlier this year, meetings took place between officials and the DLCG at which it was given an outline of the proposals for legislation. Its views about these proposals were discussed and noted for consideration by the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion. At present, contact is continuing between the group and the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, with a view to a further possible meeting.
The disability Bill is a key part of the framework being put in place by the Government to underpin the equal participation by people with disabilities in Irish society. The framework includes the Education for Persons with Disabilities Bill 2003, which is currently on Report Stage; the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill which is being prepared in the Department of Social and Family Affairs dealing with the provision of advocacy; sectoral plans for key public services; and equality legislation, to be updated by the Equality Bill 2004, which is currently on Second Stage in the Dáil.
The Government is conscious of the complexity and cross-cutting nature of the issues involved and, to support ministerial engagement throughout the process, referred oversight of the Bill and other elements of the framework to the Cabinet Sub-Committee on Social Inclusion. The Government and the sub-committee are giving particular attention to the Bill and to the views arising through the consultation process. The Bill is at an advanced stage of preparation and will be published as soon as the Government has completed its work.
