James Breen
Ceist:541 Mr. J. Breen asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the number of people with disabilities who have been appointed to State boards in his Department; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [7776/03]
Written Answers - Departmental Appointments.
I can inform the Deputy that appointments to State boards under the aegis of my Department are made on the basis of the qualifications of individuals concerned. Information in relation to a person's disabilities, if any, are not recorded by my Department and I am therefore not in a position to be absolute in my response. I am sure the Deputy will appreciate that the definition of disability can encompass matters which may not be immediately obvious to others. I can, however, inform the Deputy, that one person with a disability was serving on the board of the Equality Authority which expired on 7 March 2003. A new board has not yet been appointed.
With regard to the National Disability Authority, I am obliged to have regard to the objectives set out in Section 20 of the National Disability Authority Act 1999, that the majority of board members would either be persons with disabilities, their representatives, carers or family members. At present there are 11 board members out of 20 currently appointed who come within these parameters.