Results 501-520 of 1,150 for speaker:Frank Fahey

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: We will consult with the Parliamentary Counsel and revert to the issue on Report Stage.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I do not have a problem with the Senators' point, but we will have to consult the Parliamentary Counsel.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: We will revert to the issue on Report Stage.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: Amendment No. 46 has two elements, the first requiring that the sectoral plan of the Department of Health and Children contain information on the introduction of national standards for disability services. I do not consider it necessary to specifically refer to these standards in the Bill. The Department's sectoral plan already provides that it will contain information concerning proposed...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: Sections 31 to 37 outline the content of the six sectoral plans of Departments and section 35 relates specifically to the sectoral plan of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources. The Disability Legislation Consultation Group, DLCG, at a recent meeting with the Taoiseach and myself sought to have this section reviewed so that it would be consistent with the approach...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: When I was a Minister of State with responsibility for labour, I took a particular interest in trying to improve the lot of people with disabilities and their access to employment. The big problem was the lack of awareness among employers of the abilities and advantages of employing people with disabilities. I concur with the views expressed about Senator Quinn. I remember arranging a series...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: In response to the concerns of some parties, I am examining the definition of genetic testing under section 41 to clarify that it captures the proper spectrum of testing procedures which may apply to people affected by genetic disorders. If necessary, I may seek to introduce some minor technical amendments in this regard on Report Stage. No matter what one does in respect of legislation, it...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I do not have them with me.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: The amendment seeks, in page 40, between lines 46 and 47, to insert the following new subsection: "(5) The Minster shall, as soon as may be after the passing of this Act, prepare and lay before each House of the Oireachtas, a report on the possibility of increasing the public service employment quota for people with disabilities above 3 per cent.". I could do that without inserting it in the...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I did not say that.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: Senator Terry is being somewhat disingenuous in her accusation that I am not prepared to accept amendments. It is not normal to review matters and return the following day and agree to make some amendments. That was because on this occasion the Leader of the House asked me to be especially vigilant in trying to accord with the views of the Opposition. The amendment simply proposes that I...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: This is a technical amendment which improves the comprehension of the provision.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I indicated on Committee Stage in the Dáil that I would consult with the Parliamentary Counsel on the feasibility of reflecting the term "designed for all" to have the same meaning as "universal design" in the work of the new centre of excellence to be established by the National Disability Authority. The advice available to me is that there are legal and technical reasons as to why it is...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: The proposed centre for excellence in universal design will be within the ambit of the National Disability Authority. It is obvious that various interested parties in the disability sector will be consulted. I have met representatives of groups with a specific interest in design issues which affect people with disabilities. I assure the House that such people will be involved in the proposed...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: The centre of excellence will ensure that the needs of people with disabilities will be taken into consideration when decisions are being made on all aspects of the design of buildings, such as the information technology aspects of buildings. It will be involved in advance architectural and other planning work. It will have regard to planning regulations and other regulations governing IT...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: I am surprised to learn of the Senator's experience. The planning laws require that people with disabilities be afforded ease of access to new buildings. I would be interested to hear about the specific cases referred to by the Senator.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: It comes as a surprise to me to learn that certain people involved in the planning sector are unaware of the legal requirements. The main objective of the proposed centre of excellence will be to work with the professional bodies to ensure that the principles of universal design are taken into consideration during all kinds of design work and architectural planning. The work of the centre...

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: The minimum wage of €8 per hour applies to all employees, including people with disabilities. I would be interested in hearing about cases of the minimum wage not being paid, if Senators can cite such examples. In some cases, employers may be exempt from paying the minimum wage to people in training, but that exemption cannot last for longer than a certain period of time.

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: It lasts for a maximum of three years. The exemption normally applies to people who are being trained under sheltered employment conditions. Under section 35 of the Employment Equality Act, people with disabilities will be entitled to the same minimum wage as anyone else. While well intentioned, I am concerned that amendment No. 56 may not achieve the purposes for which it is drafted....

Seanad: Disability Bill 2004: Committee Stage (Resumed). (15 Jun 2005)

Frank Fahey: There is no doubt the proposed amendment may render inapplicable the positive duties on bodies under the Act and replace them with limited provisions under section 4 of the Equal Status Act 2000, which deal with reasonable accommodation and nominal cost. Some people expressed concern about the impact the Disability Bill could have on the obligations placed on public bodies under the Equal...