Damien English (Meath West, Fine Gael)
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Question 92: To ask the Minister for Social and Family Affairs if he will provide a progress report on the proposed reforms for the disability sector as outlined in the Programme for Government; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32291/07]

Martin Cullen (Waterford, Fianna Fail)
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The Programme for Government reiterates the Government's determination to prioritise the interests of people with disabilities over the course of the next five years through a series of significant measures in the social welfare, health, education, employment and environments areas.

My Department has a pivotal role in providing income support for people with disabilities who may not be in a position to provide for themselves. In 2006, spending on income support, to some 246,000 recipients of disability or caring related social welfare schemes, was in excess of €2.38 billion. In addition, people with disabilities may also benefit from other schemes such as state pensions.

My Department's Disability Sectoral Plan, published in 2006, in accordance with the provisions of the Disability Act 2005 and in line with the National Disability Strategy and Towards 2016, aims to develop services that not only give people with disabilities financial security but also encourage their maximum participation in society. The Department participates in interdepartmental co-ordinating and monitoring structures, including bi-annual meetings between senior officials and stakeholders as required under Towards 2016, in monitoring progress on its Sectoral Plan.

I, with the support of my Government colleagues, am committed to continuing to prioritise the needs of people with disabilities and their carers over the term of this Government. The Agreed Programme for Government reiterates that the National Disability Strategy will be driven and managed from a whole of Government perspective and will be overseen and supported by the Department of the Taoiseach.

The commitments relevant to my Department, contained in the Programme, including those relating to people with disabilities, are currently being considered in the context of the Department's new Statement of Strategy 2008-2010 which is being finalised and which will be published in early 2008. Progress on these commitments will be reported on in my Department's annual reports.