Vol. 526 No. 1
110 Mr. Stagg asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he has received a submission from the National Disability Authority on the proposed new disabilities Bill; if so, his views on the submission and particularly the suggestion that funding would be paid directly to people with disabilities, rather than to bodies that provide services; when the Bill will be published; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25778/00]
The Government has given a commitment in both its legislative programme and the Partnership for Prosperity and Fairness, to bring forward a disabilities Bill at the earliest opportunity. Work on the preparation of this legislation is ongoing in my Department and publication of the Bill is expected in 2001.
Given the importance and ground-breaking nature of the proposed Bill, my Department undertook a broad-ranging consultative process which is nearing completion. A wide range of disability groups and organisations, Government departments, State agencies and the social partners, were contacted in the process and invited to submit proposals to my Department in relation to the Bill.
The National Disability Authority, a statutory body under the aegis of my Department, submitted proposals which, together with the other submissions received, are in the process of being considered.
The Bill will be progressed in the normal way and in due course will be published and placed in the public arena. I do not propose, at this stage in the legislative process, to make public comment with regard to the content of submissions received.
