David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 20: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he will reopen the independent living support programme funded through the Disability Equality Unit; the other initiatives or support available through his Department which promote independent living for people with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40239/08]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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While my Department has a key role in the development of disability equality policy and legislation, it is not directly involved in the provision of services for people with disabilities. These services are mainstreamed to the relevant Departments. However, from time to time my Department provides funds for schemes which are usually stand-alone and / or aimed to develop innovative pilot projects.

In connection with the programme referred to by the Deputy, the following is the position. In November 2006, my Department invited applications for funding under one such scheme, the Independent Living Support Programme. This once off scheme provided €5.7 million to voluntary organisations for capital projects to purchase equipment such as wheelchairs, beds, hoists, adapted furniture, vehicles, and other technologies and appliances which help people with disabilities live more independent lives. Sixty-four organisations have been funded under this once-off programme which is now closed. There are no plans to repeat this programme.

In the past the Department has also supported independent living for people with disabilities through the Accessible Transport Funding Projects in 2005 and 2007 as well as the Enhancing Disability Services Programme 2005-2009.

In 2009, subject to resources being available, my priority in this area will be to complete the multi-annual investment programme through funding of the Enhancing Disability Services Programme. This programme is provided to support once-off projects that can demonstrate an innovative, efficient, collaborative and cost effective approach to service provision for people with disabilities which must also have the capacity to be mainstreamed in the future.