Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Apr 1996

Vol. 464 No. 3

Written Answers. - Travel Costs.

Mary Wallace

Ceist:

56 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform if he will ensure that the funding for the Council for the Status of People with Disabilities will fully subvent the travel costs of those members of the council who will need to travel to Dublin to attend its meetings. [8177/96]

Minister for Equality and Law Reform (Mr. Taylor)

In April 1995 I set up and ad-hoc establishment group to facilitate progress towards the establishment of a Council for the Status of People with Disabilities.

The terms of reference of thead-hoc establishment group 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. A national convention, at which the membership of an interim council will be agreed, is scheduled to take place in Dublin Castle on 25 June 1996.

Funding of £100,000 has been provided in my Department's estimates for 1996 in respect of the Council for the Status of People with Disabilities. Some of this provision will be used this year to support the work of thead-hoc establishment group. The financial allocation which has been made available in respect of the council is intended to cover the travelling and subsistence costs of members.