Frank Fahey (Galway West, Fianna Fail)

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 arrangements to implement Part 2 and any other matters the Minister considers appropriate. The national disability standards prepared by the National Disability Authority will provide an important focus for future action. The existing framework of the National Disability Authority Act provides adequately for the monitoring and reviewing of these and other standards. A new independent body, the health information and equality authority, HIQA, will deal with standards in health services, including disability-specific services.

The second element of the proposed amendment deals with the mainstream health service needs of people with disabilities. The Bill as drafted allows for consideration of the issue in the context of the sectoral plan if the Minister for Health and Children considers it necessary to include it. I do not propose to specifically provide for primary care needs in the manner suggested in the amendment, therefore, do not propose to accept it.