Mick Wallace (Wexford, Independent)
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Question 80: To ask the Minister for Justice and Equality his views on the lack of consultation with local networks in advance of the removal of funding to People with Disabilities in Ireland; if he will provide a breakdown detailing where this funding has been reallocated to and for what purposes; his further views on whether funding to the local networks, rather than the head office, could be reinstated to allow them to continue their work at a local level in view of the fact that the Wexford network had a budget of only €15,000 in 2011 and was prepared to reduce this to €10,000 for 2012; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13964/12]

Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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There was no individual engagement with the Networks during the value for money review, as the information provided by the CEO of PwDI in response to a request from Department Officials, raised many queries in relation to how the overall budget of PWDI was being spent. While I accept that the networks were actively engaged with people with disabilities, the overall spending profile was too heavily concentrated on overheads and administrative expenses. To engage individually with the Networks would not have changed this profile.

As part of a review, I propose to present new structures for engagement with the disability sector to ensure that any perceived gap created by the withdrawal of funding from PWDI can be addressed. I am also looking at whether a small amount of funding could be channelled to the active local Networks.

It is my wish to ensure that people with disabilities directly benefit from any money allocated to this sector. With this in mind, I am currently overseeing the finalisation of a major Value for Money and Policy Review of Disability Services in the Department of Health to ensure that existing funding allocated for people with disabilities is spent to best effect. I am also interested to hear what people with disabilities have to say on issues affecting them. I have recently set up and chair a new Implementation Group to develop and progress the National Disability Strategy. This new group held its inaugural meeting on 30 November. It includes representation from a number of disability stakeholder organisations , individuals with expertise in the Disability area including a former PWDI Board member and also a number of people with disabilities who will be able to bring their lived experience directly to bear on the very important work of this high level group.

I have just recently announced the establishment of a new Disability forum which will be convened by the National Disability Authority. This forum will be developed along the lines of the Social Inclusion forum and will provide a very useful model for capturing the views and experiences of people with disabilities as service users. Furthermore it will facilitate a better consultation process and clearly establish the perspective of the end user and compliment the work of the main established disability organisations.

I consider it very important that we clearly hear the voice of people with disabilities in developing any policies or services that impact on their lives. I intend to ensure that in the development of policy and the delivery of services, that the voice of people with disabilities themselves is heard by me and my officials, and I am in no doubt that it will further compliment the work and perspective of other disability organizations involved in the process.