Vol. 473 No. 1
55 Mr. B. Smith asked the Minister for Health if funding will be provided to the National Training and Development Institute to provide facilities for people in long-term sheltered work activation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [24714/96]
88 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health the plans, if any, he has to address the worsening problem of people with disabilities who are long-term unemployed. [24589/96]
116 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if he will guarantee the basic rights of disabled people by offering broader and more challenging work within training centres. [24497/96]
142 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if the £10 training allowance received by trainees at the National Training and Development Institute can be index-linked and increased to a realistic level. [24587/96]
143 Mr. Sargent asked the Minister for Health if he has a policy on the National Training and Development Institute; and if so, if this policy is being adhered to by the institute. [24588/96]
Limerick East): I propose to answer Questions Nos. 55, 88, 116, 142 and 143 together.
The report of the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities, which was published on 18 November, contains a wide range of recommendations concerning the provision of services to people with disabilities, including work and training.
The Government decided, on publication of the report, to establish a committee to monitor the implementation of the commission's recommendations, including the recommendations concerning work and training. This is subject to the submission to Government, in the first instance, of a programme of measures to be implemented, which will be drawn up by an inter-departmental task force on which my Department will be represented. The issues raised by the Deputies will be addressed through these new structures.
This work will be supported by a number of important intiatives. Training policy is being reviewed by my Department. Also the National Rehabilitation Board is preparing a report on the development of employment opportunities for people with disabilities.
