Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2004
19 Ms O’Sullivan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform when he expects that the promised Disability Bill will be published; the discussions he has had with disability groups regarding the terms of the Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20702/04]
View answer59 Mr. Stanton asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the reasons the publication of the Disability Bill is being delayed for so long; when he expects to be able to publish the Disability Bill; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20824/04]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 19 and 59 together.
I wish to advise the Deputies that it is my intention, in accordance with the commitment given in the Agreed Programme for Government, to circulate the Disability Bill at the earliest possible date. 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 to the Cabinet Sub-committee on Social Inclusion. Work is continuing in relation to the Bill and it will be published when the work is completed. The Disability Bill is a key part of the framework being put in place by the Government to underpin equal participation by people with disabilities in Irish society. The framework includes: the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Bill, 2003 which is currently on Report stage in the Seanad; the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill which is being prepared in the Department of Social and Family Affairs in relation to the provision of advocacy; six sectoral plans for key public services which will each be published at the same time as the Disability Bill; and equality legislation, amended by the Equality Bill 2004, which has just completed report and final stage in the Dáil report and final stage in Seanad scheduled for 7 July.
As the Deputies 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. 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 expert consultation team appointed by the Government. 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. On 19 May last, the Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, met the group and outlined to them developments in Government thinking and issues still under discussion arising from meetings with officials in the early part of the year. He reassured them of the Government's continued commitment to publish a Bill at the earliest possible date.
