Vol. 571 No. 1
1118 Mr. F. McGrath asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his Department will consider proposals (details supplied) from the deaf and hard of hearing and urge the support of these recommendations as part of the European Year of People with Disabilities. [19793/03]
The year 2003 has been designated by the European Commission as the European Year of People with Disabilities, EYPD. The purpose of the year is to raise awareness right across European society of the rights of people with disabilities to protection against discrimination and to promote the concepts of equality and inclusiveness for people with disabilities. In Ireland a wide ranging programme of events and projects has been supported by the national co-ordinating committee for EYPD, which is facilitated by the National Disability Authority. Funding of €1.5 million has been allocated from both EU and Exchequer sources for the committee's programme during the year. Projects which are to benefit from funding were decided following a public call for proposals from the national co-ordinating committee earlier this year, to which there was a very strong response.
In June 2000, my Department oversaw the introduction of the policy of mainstreaming in the delivery of services for people with disabilities. This placed responsibility for the provision of services for people with disabilities within the remit of the same bodies which provide the services generally.
