Vol. 457 No. 5
9 Dr. Woods asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the plans, if any, he has to overcome the situation as outlined in the 1994 annual report of the National Rehabilitation Board, in which people with disabilities find that they are excluded, set apart, stigmatised and undervalued. [15599/95]
10 Ms Keogh asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the immediate steps, if any, he can take to ensure that disabled people get a fairer share of available jobs; and the action, if any, he has taken to persuade employers in the private sector to increase their intake of disabled employees. [15589/95]
13 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the progress, if any, made in establishing a council for the status of people with disabilities; if he will give a time frame for the introduction of legislation setting out the rights of people with a disability, together with means of redress for those whose rights are denied; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15642/95]
15 Mr. E. Byrne asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform the recommendations, if any, he has received regarding the question of pay levels applying to people with disabilities in sheltered employment; the measures, if any, he intends taking to review those pay levels; whether the proposed Employment Equality Bill will address conditions in sheltered employment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15643/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 9, 10, 13 and 15 together.
I am committed to taking initiatives to end discrimination against people with disabilities and to ensure that they are provided with opportunities for equal participation in all aspects of Irish society.
The legal drafting of the Employment Equality and the Equal Status Bills is proceeding. I envisage that, when it has been approved by the Government, the Employment Equality Bill will be published towards the end of this year. The drafting of the Equal Status Bill, which contains some inter-related provisions, would then be completed and, following Government approval, would be published some time later. The proposed legislation for employment equality will give protection to employees generally against discrimination, including discrimination on grounds of disability.
The Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, which I established in December 1993, proposes to submit its report to the Government in the first half of 1996.
To inform its examination of the issues affecting people with disabilities, the commission undertook one of the biggest ever consultation exercises in the history of the State, holding 23 public "Listening Meetings" in various locations throughut the State and sending representatives to as many meetings of organisations of and for people with disabilities as possible. In addition, it sought submissions from people with disabilities, their families, parents and carers, service providers and other interested parties. To date, approximately 600 submissions, in various media, including large print and audio tapes, have been received.
The commission is now beginning its "Communications Strategy" which is geared towards raising awareness of the situation of people with disabilities and this strategy will culminate in the launching of its report.
I understand that, among the many matters being considered by the commission, the issues of client rights, person-centred service delivery approaches and the integration of people with disabilities into every aspect of life in Ireland are being given special attention. In addition, the commission has set up a working group on employment and training to examine the position of people with disabilities and to develop draft recommendations in this regard.
My Department is engaged in ongoing consultations with IBEC and ICTU geared towards improving the employment position of people with disabilities and an officer from my Department is a member of the Monitoring Committee for the Employment of People with Disabilities which operates under the terms of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work.
I understand that, as part of its deliberations on the employment and training of people with disabilities, the commission is examining the question of the pay levels applying to people with disabilities in sheltered employment. I look forward to receiving the commission's recommendations in this regard, when I will consider what further initiatives, legislative or otherwise, are required in this area.
The Government regards the work of the commission as fundamentally important and will take specific action to end discrimination and to ensure equal opportunity for participation by all our people in Irish life. When the commission has reported, we will examine its recommendations and any legislation required to set out the rights of persons with a disability, together with means of redress for those whose rights are denied will be prepared. In line with the recommendations of the commission, we will put in place mechanisms for full and equal participation by every citizen with a disability in all aspects of our economic and social life.
On 6 April 1995, on the recommendation of the commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, I announced the appointment of an ad hoc steering group to facilitate the establishment of a council for the status of people with disabilities. Its terms of reference are as follows: to identify the actions needed to facilitate the development of a constituent base from which a provisional council, which would act in a caretaker capacity pending the formal establishment of a representative council, could emerge; to draw up a draft provisional constitution, which would serve as a mandate for the provisional council, pending the adoption of a formally agreed constitution in conjunction with the setting up of a properly constituted council; and to make the necessary arrangements for the holding of a national convention of relevant interests at which the membership of the provisional council could be agreed.
The ad hoc group is examining the various issues associated with the establishment of a provisional council which, I understand, they hope to launch shortly after the commission reports. The establishment of a council will be an important step in seeking to ensure greater participation by people with disabilities in all facets of Irish life.
Would the Minister agree that the fact that people with disabilities feel excluded, stigmatised, set apart and undervalued is a damning indictment of Government policy? Will he bring forward immediate practical proposals? For example, what steps has the Minister taken to ensure that all polling stations will be accessible to disabled people during the forthcoming referendum, and will he take up that issue immediately with the Minister for the Environment?
Will the Minister also take action aimed at encouraging the employment of people with disabilities, particularly in the Dublin area? Coca-Cola and Custom Foods are very good examples of private companies which employ people with disabilities. Thirteen per cent of the workforce in Custom Foods are people with disabilities. Will the Minister bring this to the attention of other companies and try to get them to provide opportunities for people with disabilities?
I will bring to the attention of the Minister for the Environment the point regarding accessibility of polling stations.
A number of things are being done regarding the employment of people with disabilities. The Employment Equality Bill will deal specifically with anti-discrimination in this field. It is due for publication before the end of this year. The Deputy is familiar with it, having been involved with me during the term of office of the last Government in approving its key principles. People with disabilities will be one of the protected categories. The work of the commission will be extremely important. It has examined the matter in great detail at the listening exercises and their suggestions will have to be given careful and sympathetic attention. There are ongoing meetings under the Programme for Competitiveness and Work with IBEC and ICTU. The Deputy may also be aware of the setting up of the equality awards scheme which aroused huge interest and intense competition. There was great participation and many firms gave remarkable examples of the work they are doing to provide employment for people with disabilities. There was also a series of programmes on RTE which highlighted what can be done by firms. I appeal to all firms to remember the tremendous contribution which can be made by people with disabilities when they are given the opportunity to work. These are just some of the things that are under way in the Department in this regard.
Would the Minister consider, even in the short-term, introducing a quota system such as exists in many EU countries for the employment of people with disabilities? Does he feel that a system such as we have in the Civil Service would be beneficial, and would he consider introducing a penalty, usually a fine, for firms that do not comply with a quota, in an effort to ensure that people with a disability get some chance within the workforce?
A mandatory quota system of the type referred to by Deputy Keogh would have major implications and would have to be the subject of discussions between IBEC and ICTU in the context of the Programme for Competitiveness and Work. There is a quota system in operation in a number of countries, notably France and Germany. It seems to have mixed results. I would not necessarily rule it out, but a measure of agreement would have to be reached between both sides of industry before introducing it and much consideration would have to be given to its base. It does not arise at this time, but it is something I will keep in mind.
