Eamon Ryan (Dublin South, Green Party)
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Question 114: To ask the Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment the reason for the lack of consultation with people with disabilities in the formulation of the sectoral plan of the National Disability Strategy; and if he intends to establish an independent monitoring system to assess the progress or otherwise of the plan. [18465/06]

Tony Killeen (Clare, Fianna Fail)
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The Department has fully consulted with representative organisations for people with disabilities in the preparation of the Sectoral Plan for my Department. This Department participated in a comprehensive regional consultative process which was organised by the National Disability Authority in 2005. These conferences were attended by members of the general public, people with disabilities, carers, advocates, family friends and service providers. Submissions and proposals were also sought from all interested individuals or groupings. In addition, the requirement to draw up a Sectoral Plan was highlighted on the Department's website. All submissions received have been carefully considered and taken into account. As a consequence of these consultative arrangements, detailed submissions have been received from the National Disability Authority, the Disability Legislation Consultative Group, the Not For Profit Business Association and PwDI. In addition, the Department has engaged with the FÁS National Advisory Committee on Disability which includes representatives of disabilities organisations. In the recent past the Department has again in the context of on-going discussions with representatives of the relevant representative organisations, reported on progress made to date, and indicated the considerations and focus that will inform the Sectoral Plan to be finalised in the near future.