Sheila Terry (Fine Gael)

I move amendment No. 1:

In page 6, between lines 10 and 11, to insert the following:

"(b) A personal advocate shall have such qualifications, expertise and experience as are appropriate to perform the functions conferred on him or her by this Act.".

The Minister for Social and Family Affairs is welcome to the House. This Bill is of major importance to people with disabilities. The provision of advocacy services for people with disabilities has been long awaited. This service will be worthwhile and will give major support and a voice to people with disabilities. I am sure the Minister will agree that it is vital the quality and standards we set for advocates should be of the highest level.

My colleague in the Dáil tabled a similar amendment and it is also similar to an amendment tabled by the Minister, which I presume was accepted in the Dáil. However, this amendment goes further in that it provides that we would ensure through this Act that we would set certain standards. Much work needs to be done in this regard. Many advocates will be needed. The training for those advocates will be of major importance. I understand that currently training for advocates is available in only one institute of education, the institute in Sligo. How does the Minister intend to ensure the required number of advocates will be available and that the standards will be of the highest level? How will we set those standards, if they are not provided for in the legislation? This amendment is even stronger than the Minister's good amendment. I would like the Minister to assure us that the proper standards will be set to ensure the best quality service is delivered to people with disabilities. The Minister may have had time to reconsider this matter in the intervening period between consideration of the Bill in the Dáil and this debate and may see his way to accepting this amendment.