Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

This change was sought by the Disability Legislation Consultation Group, DLCG, at its recent meeting with the Taoiseach on 25 May when the Taoiseach indicated that the matter would be reviewed. Having reviewed the matter, the Government is prepared to make the related change to the Bill.

The Government sought consistency in the language used in this subsection with that in the earlier subsection (3). The purpose of the suggested change is to ensure a fair balance between the criteria used in making allocations for disability services and for other areas of public service activity. I fully appreciate the concern, which has been expressed by many people involved in the disability sector, that resources should be properly and consistently provided for disability services. I have listened carefully to the arguments which have been made about how this may best be provided for in this legislation. The amendment made to section 5 in the Dáil, when taken with the amendment before the House, will provide a clear reassurance that disability services will not be overlooked and that resources allocated for disability services will not be channelled to other areas.