Peadar Tóibín (Meath West, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

In any debate the Government can always point to a number of programmes which are good, no matter what we discuss. However, the point is that the general situation is not good. If one examines the sector in its entirety, there is not a positive delivery to different sectors, particularly disadvantaged sectors. The Minister has given a nebulous promise that at some time in the future the Government might focus on this issue but that is not good enough. Arts & Disability Ireland, ADI, has pointed to the massive challenges that exist with regard to improving programmes within the sector and to the fact that there is no continuity in policy direction and implementation related to including people with disabilities in the arts, despite the thorough documentation available. In line with Article 30 of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities, will the Minister not take the opportunity to state that by the end of 2017, every euro spent by the Government on the arts will be equality-proofed in order that nobody will be left behind, regardless of whether they are from working class or rural areas or have disabilities? Will she give that commitment today?

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