Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 5 October 2004
250 Mr. Rabbitte asked the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the role his Department will play in supervising and monitoring the disability package announced by the Government on 21 September 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23800/04]
View answerUnder the Disability Bill 2004, my Department is one of six Departments required to draw up sectoral plans, as part of the national disability strategy for positive action measures to support participation by people with disabilities in Irish society.
The key focus of the outline sectoral plan developed by my Department is to facilitate and improve access to vocational training and employment opportunities for people with disabilities. As provided for in the Bill, details of the outline sectoral plans are subject to consultation with relevant interest groups before completion and presentation to Dáil Éireann within a year of commencement of Part 3 of the Bill. The Bill provides that the plans will come into effect subject to a positive resolution by Dáil Éireann.
Subject to approval of the Bill by the Oireachtas, my Department will establish a system for monitoring progress on the implementation of the sectoral plan, and all agencies under the Department's remit will submit an annual report on the progress achieved.
