Catherine Murphy (Kildare North, Independent)
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Question 48: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will conduct an audit of services for persons with disabilities with a view to seeking a more targeted response by various Departments in areas in which services are most deficient. [21323/05]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The national disability strategy, launched by the Taoiseach, Deputy Bertie Ahern, on 21 September 2004 represents the Government's targeted response to delivery of disability services. The launch involved seven Ministers with direct responsibility for the various elements of the strategy because of the cross-cutting nature of the issues involved. The strategy has been advanced by a cross-departmental group of senior officials reporting to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion and comprises four elements: the Disability Bill 2004, which is the direct responsibility of my colleague, the Minister of State with responsibility for disability equality in the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform, Deputy Frank Fahey; 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, Environment, Heritage and Local Government, Communications, Marine and Natural Resources and Enterprise, Trade and Employment; and a multi-annual investment programme, from 2005 to 2009, providing over €1 billion for high priority disability support services, mainly in the health and education areas, which was announced as part of the budget on 1 December 2004.

The Disability Bill has since completed all Stages in this House and was passed by the Seanad yesterday. It now remains for the House to accept the Seanad amendments.

While my Department has a key role in the development of disability equality policy and legislation, it is not directly involved in the provision of services for people with disabilities. Since the policy of mainstreaming of services for people with disabilities was introduced in June 2000, responsibility for the provision of services for people with disabilities rests with the same Department or agency which has the responsibility for providing the services generally.

The focus on mainstreaming and social inclusion is given particular emphasis through the significant obligations placed on public bodies under Part 3 of the Disability Bill in relation to buildings and services and through the six sectoral plans under that Part. This will ensure that access for people with disabilities will become an integral part of service planning and provision. The six Departments with responsibility for preparation of sectoral plans will be required to undertake consultation with stakeholders before the plans are finalised and presented for approval to the Oireachtas. These Departments are the Departments whose policies have the greatest impact on the lives of people with disabilities.