Vol. 472 No. 3
88 Mr. L. Fitzgerald asked the Minister for Equality and Law Reform his response to the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities launched by him on 18 November 1996, in terms of his Department's budgetary commitment for 1997 to the report; the main recommendations and proposals, if any, in the report which he intends to put into effect during 1997; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23167/96]
I welcome the publication of the report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities. The report is a unique and historic document which has seen, for the first time, people with a disability speak with one voice and clearly articulate the steps required to ensure that they will be treated as equal citizens. I see the findings of this report as the cornerstone of future Government policies in relation to the treatment of people with disabilities.
The report impacts on a wide range of policy issues which are the responsibility of many Government Departments and agencies. The Government has decided to prepare a plan of action on the rights of people with disabilities, based on the report and I have been authorised to establish an inter-departmental task force, under the chairmanship of my Department, to begin work on the preparation of that plan. The Government has also authorised me to establish a monitoring committee, comprising organisations representing people with disabilities, their families and carers and service providers, as well as social partners and Government Departments, to monitor the implementation of the commission's recommendations. The monitoring committee will assist in prioritising the changes necessary and in bringing those proposals back to Government.
I would envisage that the implementation of the report's recommendations, along with any bugetary implications following thereon, will be considered in the context of the work of these two groups.
