asked the Taoiseach the present position in regard to each of the matters referred to by him in the reply to a parliamentary question of 10 March 1981 as being undertaken at that time to mark the International Year of the Disabled to assist persons with each of the following handicaps (a) impairment of limbs, (b) deafness, (c) speech impairment, (d) blindness and (e) mental handicap; if he will state in each instance where a matter was then being referred to a committee if the committee has reported thereon; and the action taken on its report.
Written Answers. - Assistance to Disabled.
448.
My Department are continuing to co-operate with the Department of Labour, Department of the Public Service and the Civil Service Commission in the recruitment programme for the disabled in the public sector. A disabled person recommended by the National Rehabilitation Placement Service was appointed earlier this year to a post in my Department.
Earlier this year the attention of all State bodies under the aegis of my Department was again drawn to the Government's commitment to increase employment opportunities for disabled persons in the public service.
The Arts Council have made the following two awards: (1) A grant of £1,000 to the Rehabilitation Institute in Cork for the purchase of film-making equipment for use in the institute; and (2) A scholarship grant of £1,000 to enable a music graduate attend a one-year course in music therapy for the disabled in London. Access and toilet facilities for the disabled are now available in my Department.