Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 466: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the progress made in his Department regarding the implementation of the National Disability Strategy; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [16487/07]

Brian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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The National Disability Strategy was launched by 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. Minister of State Dr. Jimmy Devins, T.D. has special responsibility for disability including mental health.

The National Disability Authority (NDA) is concerned with the implementation of important aspects of the Strategy and works closely with my Department to meet relevant objectives.

Key elements of the National Disability 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. Part 2 of the Disability Act commenced on 1 June, 2007 in respect of children up to age five. All other sections of the Disability Act have been commenced.

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 Disability Act. These accessibility provisions are supported by the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information Provided by Public Bodies which was launched in July 2006. The Code of Practice was developed by the 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 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.

Under the terms of Towards 2016, the National Disability Strategy Stakeholder Monitoring Group was established in December, 2006 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 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 key objectives of the National Disability Strategy, my Department has a role in several 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. My Department also has a lead role in relation to the ratification process.

My Department also funds certain accessible transport initiatives 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 was launched in 2005. The Programme comprises a funding package of €15 million over a five-year period to support once-off projects which can 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 2007, my Department undertook a number of awareness raising initiatives including funding two TV programmes and a National Information Day. The funding allocation in 2007 for this purpose 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. The second round of awards will take place in December, 2007.