David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 214: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs further to Parliamentary Question No. 178 of 1 December 2004, the funding which has been made available for 2005 to introduce the groundwork for the new personal advocacy service aimed specifically at persons with disabilities; when the new service will commence; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4139/05]

Séamus Brennan (Dublin South, Fianna Fail)
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As announced in budget 2005, €1 million has been provided this year to the national information agency, Comhairle, to prepare the groundwork for the introduction of the new personal advocacy service. It is envisaged that the new service will be introduced in early 2008 subject to the necessary legislation being enacted. The introduction of a personal advocacy service aimed specifically at people with disabilities is provided for in the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004 which was published last September in conjunction with the Disability Bill 2004 and outline sectoral plans and as part of the Government's national disability strategy.

Under the provisions of the Bill, the new personal advocacy service will provide for the assignment of a personal advocate to a person with a disability who is unable to obtain or who has difficulty in obtaining a social service without the assistance or support of the personal advocate. The main function of the personal advocate will be to assist, support and represent the person with a disability in applying for and obtaining a social service and also in pursuing any right of review or appeal in connection with that service.