Micheál Martin (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I want to ask the Taoiseach about a number of legislative commitments for people with disabilities, as contained in the programme for Government. As the Taoiseach knows, thousands of people will be marching today in protest against cuts to disability services. There is a lot of concern about special needs assistants, resources in special schools and the disability allowance. Will the Taoiseach indicate when the review of the domiciliary care allowance will be completed? It was initiated eight or nine months ago, but where is it now? We cannot find it anywhere. I would appreciate it if the Taoiseach could indicate when the Government intends to publish the review. Will the Taoiseach also indicate when the implementation plan for the national disability strategy, which was committed to in the programme for Government, will be published?

Will the Taoiseach indicate a publication date for promised legislation to move a proportion of public spending to a personal budget model so that people with disabilities or their families have the flexibility to make choices that best suit their needs? The programme for Government stated that would ensure greater transparency and efficiency in funding services. In addition, legislation was committed to in the programme for Government to place national standards for residential services for people with disabilities on a statutory footing. Where is that Bill, which would also ensure inspection by the Health Information and Quality Authority? The programme for Government indicated that there would be additional resources for people with disabilities.

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