Emmet Stagg (Kildare North, Labour)
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Question 54: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform his views on the recommendation in the Report of the Special Group on Public Service Numbers and Expenditure Programmes to transfer disability functions to the Department of Health and Children; if his attention has been drawn to the opposition to such a transfer expressed by a group (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31172/09]

Dermot Ahern (Louth, Fianna Fail)
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The recommendation contained in the McCarthy Report that disability functions in my Department be transferred to the Department of Health and Children is the subject of consideration by the two Departments with a view to identifying efficiencies and overall savings as well as ensuring that policy in support of equality for people with disabilities is maintained.

Given their representative character, the concerns expressed by this Group will be carefully taken into account in the deliberations on this matter. The Group's contention is that the role in co-ordinating overall policy among Departments under the National Disability Strategy and of promoting equality under that strategy should remain in my Department. The Group also suggests that the McCarthy recommendations appear to assume that my Department's functions involve the delivery of services whereas those functions centre instead around the promotion of the policy of equality. The question, ultimately for consideration by the Government in the context of the Estimates process, is whether the system of government in relation to disability equality matters can be better organised and improved at less cost. I can assure the Deputy that any decision that is made will be in the best interests of persons with disabilities.