Bertie Ahern (Dublin Central, Fianna Fail)

In regard to the transfer of the multi-annual programme, we have given €2.5 billion in the period up to the end of the decade. Deputy Kenny asked what was the objective of the Bill. The Bill puts in place a framework for the provision of health and personal social services for people with a disability. That is what it is endeavouring to do. It allows for systematic development and improvement to these services, it requires that public services and buildings are made accessible for them, it also obliges public bodies to be proactive in employing people with disabilities, it restricts the use of information from genetic testing and establishes centres for excellence. All of those issues are contained in the Bill, they were all of the demands. I accept that there are still some issues of concern with which the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, is dealing with the groups. He will continue to meet with the groups and we will continue to try to address those issues on Committee Stage.

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