Seán Haughey (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 427: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position regarding the implementation of the national disability strategy; the procedures in place for the preparation of the six outline sectoral plans; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [3958/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The national disability strategy, launched by the Government in September 2004, underpins the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society by building on existing policy and legislation. The key elements of the strategy are: the Disability Act 2005; the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill; the multi-annual investment programme; and the outline sectoral plans published by six Departments.

Significant progress has been made to date in implementing the strategy. All sections of the Disability Act 2005 for which I have responsibility have been commenced, with the exception of Part 6 of the Act. Part 6 provides for the establishment of a centre for excellence in universal design in the National Disability Authority and will commence on 1 January 2007. The commencement of Part 2 of the Act is the responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children, in consultation with the Minister for Education and Science.

Since 31 December 2005, public bodies, subject to certain considerations specified in the Disability Act 2005, must meet a number of legal requirements including: to ensure that the provision of access to their services by people with and without disabilities is integrated; to ensure that services and goods they are provided with are accessible to people with disabilities; to ensure that contents of the communications with people with disabilities are provided in an accessible format; to establish procedures in respect of the making and investigation of complaints from people with disabilities; to give effect to the provisions of the Act relating to the employment of people with disabilities; and to make their buildings accessible to people with disabilities by 31 December 2015.

As part of the national disability strategy, outline sectoral plans were published on 21 September 2004 by the following Departments: Health and Children; Social and Family Affairs; Environment, Heritage and Local Government; Transport; Communications, Marine and Natural Resources; and Enterprise, Trade and Employment.

Section 31 of the Act provides a statutory basis for the preparation and publication of these plans. The sectoral plans will set out for each of these Departments and the public bodies under their aegis the programme of measures to be taken concerning the provision of services for people with specified disabilities, and will contain information on complaints procedures and other matters.

These plans are to be laid before each House of the Oireachtas as soon as possible but not later than one year after the commencement of the Act, that is, by 28 July 2006. The National Disability Authority has conducted a nationwide series of public consultation meetings on the draft plans in conjunction with the Departments concerned. The implementation of the sectoral plans will be supported by a process of monitoring, reporting and review.

In terms of the other elements of the national disability strategy, the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill will introduce a personal advocacy service geared towards people with disabilities in respect of applications for obtaining services. The Government's multi-annual investment programme for high priority disability support services is worth €900 million and the programme will run until 2009.

The preparation of the national disability strategy was guided by the Cabinet committee on social inclusion and this committee will continue its monitoring role as the elements of the strategy are being put in place.