David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 22: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the role and responsibilities of his Department with regard to the National Disability Strategy and the implementation of the Disability Act 2005; the targets and costing set in relation to same; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12961/07]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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The National Disability Strategy was launched by the Government in September 2004 and underpins the participation of people with disabilities in Irish society by building on existing policy and legislation. The implementation of the Strategy is the agreed focus of disability policy under the Partnership Agreement, Towards 2016. My Department is responsible for the provision of the framework for the implementation of the Strategy including cross-Departmental coordination and reports to the Cabinet Committee on Social Inclusion on progress of the Strategy. The Minister of State at my Department, Frank Fahey, T.D., has acted with special responsibility for disability issues.

The Deputy will be aware that key elements of the Strategy include the Disability Act, 2005 and Sectoral Plans for service provision for people with disabilities. The Disability Act is the cornerstone of the National Disability Strategy and my Department played a lead role in its development and enactment. All sections of the Disability Act have been commenced, with the exception of Part 2 (Assessment of Needs, Service Statements and Redress). Arrangements in relation to the implementation of Part 2 are set out in the sectoral plan of the Department of Health and Children.

Under the Act, six Government Departments were required to draw up plans in key sectors including transport, built infrastructure, housing, training and employment, health and social welfare provision. My Department acted as co-ordinator for the purpose of the Sectoral plans and presented the Plans to the Houses of the Oireachtas for approval; they were published by the Government in December, 2006. Each of the relevant Departments has provided its own targets and costings for the implementation of the Sectoral Plans.

All public bodies, subject to certain considerations, must meet a number of requirements with regard to accessibility under the Act. These accessibility provisions are now supported by the new Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information Provided by Public Bodies which I signed into law and launched in July, 2006. The Code of Practice was developed by the National Disability Authority (NDA) in consultation with my Department. The Act also gives statutory effect to the 3% employment target for people with disabilities in the public sector. My Department has a key role in relation to the implementation of these provisions while progress achieved by public bodies in this regard is being monitored by the NDA. Again, under the Act, a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design has recently been established within the NDA with the support of my Department. The Centre has an important role in contributing to the development and promotion of standards in universal design. A budgetary provision of €450,000 has been allocated for the Centre for 2007.

Under the terms of Towards 2016, I established the National Disability Strategy Stakeholder Monitoring Group at the end of last year to monitor progress on the overall implementation of the National Disability Strategy. The Group comprises representatives of stakeholder groups, senior officials and the NDA while my Department also serves as secretariat to the Group.

The National Disability Authority is concerned with the implementation of important aspects of the Strategy and works closely with my Department to meet relevant objectives. The funding provision for the NDA for 2007 is €6.3 million.

The roll-out of the Strategy has been accompanied by a significant increase in the level of investment to expand the range of services and supports available to persons with disabilities. In particular, the Government is committed to a five-year, multi-annual Investment Programme to run until 2009 worth €900 million, targeted at high priority disability support services.

In addition to ensuring the delivery of the key objectives of the National Disability Strategy, my Department has a role in several important functions that are complementary to the Strategy. My Department had a lead role in relation to the negotiation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities which was adopted by a UN General Assembly in December 2006. Ireland was in the first group of countries to sign the Convention last week. My Department also has a lead role in relation to the ratification process.

My Department also funds certain accessible transport services for people with disabilities, promoted an independent living support programme and provides financial support to People with Disabilities in Ireland (PwDI). The total funding allocation for these initiatives amounts to €3.2 million in 2007. My Department also continues to fund the Enhancing Disabilities Services Programme which I launched in 2005. The Programme comprises a funding package of €15 million over a five year period to support once-off projects which could demonstrate an innovative, efficient, collaborative and cost effective approach to service provision for people with disabilities. The funding allocation for this Programme for 2007 is €3 million.

In 2006, my Department undertook a number of awareness raising initiatives including funding two TV programmes and a National Information Day. The funding allocation to continue such initiatives in 2007 is €434,000.

The Excellence through Accessibility Award was initiated to acknowledge public bodies that provide accessible services to people with disabilities. The NDA, in consultation with my Department, issued guidelines and the first awards ceremony took place in September, 2006 at which four public bodies were presented with awards.