John Carty (Mayo, Fianna Fail)

Yes. The Deputy is welcome. It was the Minister for Education and Science who rowed back on that.

I refer to the significant level of investment by Government in disability. Special services are being provided through a number of Departments. Currently some €2.5 billion, representing 7% of gross current public expenditure on services, is provided specifically for people with disability. This includes health sector services specifically for persons with an intellectual disability or autism, physical or sensory disability and mental illness; first and second level educational needs funded through the Department of Education and Science; specialised training and employment support services provided by FÁS; the cost of various tax relief schemes; and local authority spending to adapt accommodation specifically for people with disability.

The figures do not take account of the income support and other services provided through the Department of Social and Family Affairs or the fact that many people with a disability participate in or benefit from mainstream public service programmes and services. For example, speech and language therapy, physiotherapy and other similar key services for people with a disability are provided as part of the mainstream health services. Similarly, improving access to public transport for persons with mobility and sensory impairment is an integral requirement of all Exchequer funded new investment in buses, rolling stock and station infrastructure.

Furthermore, publication of the Bill was accompanied by an announcement of the new funding arrangement for capital and current spending on disability support services. In accordance with the request of those in the disability sector, funding is based on a five year multi-annual programme. This is the first time the Government has adopted this approach in the case of spending on services and I am sure my colleagues in the House would agree that this is a positive step forward. The new approach shows the Government's commitment to funding for disability support services and to implementing the initiatives announced with the publication of the Disability Bill. I commend the Minister for Finance, Deputy Cowen, who provided extra funding in the recent budget.

This new legislation is worthy of merit. It is an important step in what has been a long and arduous journey for those with disability. It is by no means an end in itself but a step in the right direction in achieving equality across the country.

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