Seán Crowe
Ceist:603 Mr. Crowe asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his plans to appoint an ombudsman for persons with a disability; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25508/03]
Written Answers. - Disability Ombudsman.
Work on the preparation of the disability Bill is on-going in my Department, following completion of the formal consultation process on future proposals for disability legislation in February 2003. The disability legislation consultation group, DLCG, is a group representative of people with disabilities, their families, carers and service providers, which was brought together by the National Disability Authority to contribute to the consultation process initiated by Government in April 2002 in respect of the disability Bill. The DLCG presented the document, Equal Citizens – Proposals for Core Elements of Disability Legislation to the expert consultation team in early February 2003. The document includes recommendations for an independent complaints system for people with disabilities under the Office of the Ombudsman. Given the complex and cross-cutting issues involved, the process of overseeing the preparation of the disability Bill has been referred to a Cabinet sub-committee. The Cabinet sub-committee is taking a key role in facilitating cross-departmental co-operation in the development of both the legislative proposals and service planning. I can confirm that present thinking as to the content of the Bill includes provisions for complaints and appeals mechanisms. Pending the completion of the work of the sub-committee and Government deliberations it would be inappropriate to comment in detail on the likely content of the Bill.