Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 November 2004
399 Mr. O’Connor asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the consultations he has had with concerned groups in respect of the Disability Bill 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [28749/04]
View answerThe Government appointed an expert consultation team in April 2002 to oversee the national consultation process. The team, which consisted of experts in legal, economic and social affairs, met and heard the views of stakeholders, including the disability legislation consultation group, the social partners, the community and voluntary sector and relevant Departments before it completed its task in February 2003. Deputies are aware that the group represents people with disabilities, their families, carers and service providers. It was established by the National Disability Authority to facilitate dialogue at national level, within the sector and with the consultation team. Following the broad-ranging consultations which took place in 2002 and early 2003, the group presented a document, Equal Citizens — Proposals for Core Elements of Disability Legislation, in February 2003.
Last year, the group met a number of members of the Government, including the Taoiseach, the Tánaiste, the then Minister of State with special responsibility for equality and disability, Deputy O'Dea, and the Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children with special responsibility for disability and mental health services, Deputy Tim O'Malley. The discussions covered such matters as assessment of need, standards, service provision, the need to build capacity in key sectors of the public service to allow for the provision of disability accessible services in a cost-effective way and workable redress mechanisms. Earlier this year, meetings took place between officials and the group at which it was given an outline of the proposals for legislation. Its views about the proposals were discussed and noted for consideration by the Cabinet committee on social inclusion.
The group had further meetings with the then Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, on 19 May 2004. He outlined the developments in the Government's thinking and mentioned the issues which were still under discussion arising from meetings with officials in the early part of the year. He assured the group that the Government was committed to publishing the Bill at the earliest possible date. The Disability Bill 2004 was published as part of the national disability strategy and launched by the Taoiseach on 21 September 2004. When the then Minister of State, Deputy O'Dea, met the group, the authority and other interested groups on that day, he outlined the content of the Bill and other elements of the strategy. The group recently my colleague, the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey. It outlined to him the main areas of concern to them in respect of the Bill.
