Vol. 533 No. 6
357 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to the controversy surrounding some literature connected with training programmes organised by People with Disabilities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9481/01]
358 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the controversy which has surrounded the organisation, People with Disabilities in Ireland; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9482/01]
359 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if the organisation, People with Disabilities in Ireland, has succeeded in the forming of a constitution; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9483/01]
360 Mr. Gormley asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress the steering group of People with Disabilities in Ireland has made; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9484/01]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 357 to 360, inclusive, together.
People with Disabilities in Ireland – PwDI – Limited is an independent voluntary, non-profit organisation which seeks to represent all people with disabilities through an effective representative structure and to promote self-advocacy of people with disabilities through training, raising awareness and providing information. My Department provides funding to support the operation of PwDI Limited and a sum of £1 million is being allocated to it for these purposes in 2001.
The development of training materials and similar activities are internal matters for PwDI Limited. Nonetheless, I have made inquiries about possible controversies and have been assured by PwDI Limited that it is unaware of any current controversies of the kind adverted to in Questions Nos. 357 and 358. PwDI Limited has offered to write to the Deputy with details of concerns which were expressed last year in relation to an earlier draft of training materials which I understand have been superseded.
On 6 January 1999, arising from my concern at the ongoing delays in getting this representative body established, I announced the appointment of a seven person steering group to finalise the preparation of a constitution for a permanent Irish Council of People with Disabilities, to restructure the organisation, to oversee the election of a permanent representative organisation for people with disabilities and to ensure that people with disabilities are empowered to participate in the elections. PwDI Limited was incorporated under the Companies Act, 1963 to 1999, as a limited company and registered with the Companies Office on 29 March 2000. A new chief executive officer was appointed in October 2000.
In accordance with its terms of reference, the steering group brought forward a draft memorandum and articles of association for PwDI Limited, the members of the steering group being the subscribers to the new company. I understand that the memorandum and articles of association were voted upon by the members of PwDI Limited and accepted on 18 June 2000 in Tullamore. The memorandum and articles of association are, in effect, the constitution of that organisation.
Among other things, the memorandum and articles of association establish a blueprint for an elected representative structure in PwDI Limited. As a result of the adoption of the memorandum and articles of association, elections to network committees were held around the country in late 2000 and early 2001. A few remaining networks have yet to complete their election procedures.
There is provision in the articles of association for a maximum of 30 network committees and each committee, which has at least ten elected members, may appoint one person to the board of PwDI Limited. It is proposed to hold an induction course for nominees to the new board on 7 April 2001. I understand that the intention is that within one month of the induction course, the board nominees will be invited to a meeting at which subscribers to the memorandum of association will formally appoint them to the board in accordance with paragraph 54 of the memorandum and articles of association of PwDI Limited. The subscribers will continue to facilitate transition to the new board over a period of approximately three months to enable it to successfully integrate and carry on its work to the highest possible standards.
As the Deputy will see, the groundwork has been laid in developing this democratic process for people with disabilities. I look forward to the imminent completion of the process and to the emergence of a vibrant and active representational forum.
