Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

We have two reporting mechanisms. The National Disability Authority reports on specific issues. The most recent report, which I hope will be published soon, relates to Irish Sign Language, which went in under the bonnet in every single Department across Government. That undoubtedly threw up challenges, but I am glad to say that they are being addressed. It is the same with the national disability inclusion strategy. The stakeholder groups, representative organisations and disabled persons' organisations are there. They are able to provide feedback about progress to their representative bodies. They also have members on the various sub-committees of the national disability inclusion strategy, including education and transport. Some of those positions might not all have been filled in the past. With the sixth disability stakeholders group, we have an ambitious cohort of representative groups on board. They all provide feedback to various organisations. Wonderful work has been done by the fifth disability stakeholders group. We now have a new cohort, which is the sixth disability stakeholders group.

One of the primary functions in the national disability inclusion strategy, at the top of its agenda, is to address the cost of disability. The cost of disability is a concern that is considered with regard to education, housing and social protection. All the key players from relevant Departments are present. It is welcome that the Department official does not change from quarter to quarter. The same lady has been involved with regard to education since I became Minister of State. She is a fantastic woman who has continued to do this.

The same has happened with local government. We have consistency in attendance at the meeting from the representatives of the relevant Departments so they can feed straight back into their line Ministers.