A request for funding by the Institute of Design and Disability in order to have the Barcelona Declaration adopted by all local authorities in Ireland by 2001 was received by my colleague, the Minister of State at my Department in July. The Minister of State raised this matter with the Minister for the Environment and Local Government whose reply of 7 August 2000 was forwarded to the institute.
My Department exercises a policy development and advice role at national level in relation to disability equality. In the context of the policy of mainstreaming, responsibility for the funding and implementation of the Barcelona Declaration, which is addressed to borough councils, urban district councils and town commissioners, lies with these bodies and the Minister for the Environment and Local Government.