Pat Rabbitte (Dublin South West, Labour)
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Question 442: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role his Department will play in supervising and monitoring the disability package announced by the Government on 21 September 2004; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [23794/04]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The national disability strategy was launched by the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, on 21 September 2004. The launch involved seven Ministers with direct responsibility for the various elements of the strategy.

The strategy has been advanced by a cross-departmental group of senior officials reporting to the Cabinet committee and comprises four elements: the Disability Bill 2004, which is the direct responsibility of my colleague, Deputy Fahey, Minister of State with responsibility for disability equality in my Department; the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004, which is the responsibility of the Minister for Social and Family Affairs; six outline sectoral plans which are the responsibility of the Ministers for Health and Children, Social and Family Affairs, Transport, the Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Enterprise, Trade and Employment. I understand that each of these Ministers will respond to a similar question to this one in the House in the coming weeks and a commitment to a multi-annual investment programme for disability support services will be announced as part of the Estimates and budgetary process.

My Department has overall responsibility for the Disability Bill. It is intended to take Second and Subsequent Stages of the Bill as soon as Dáil time can be arranged. I understand that the Minister of State, Deputy Fahey, will meet the disability legislation consultation group, as promised, in the coming weeks to hear its views on the Bill.

Implementation of the provisions on independent assessment of need, service statements and redress in the Bill come within the remit of the Department of Health and Children. The chair of the interim health service executive has established a dedicated group within the interim executive to address transition issues with regard to services for people with disabilities. That group has been asked to also examine the steps to be taken to address requirements arising in the Disability Bill.

The preparation of the strategy has been guided by the Cabinet committee on social inclusion. The committee will continue in its role as the elements of the strategy are being put in place.