We have a joined-up policy to meet needs of disabled people
The strategy represents a commitment by Government to drive forward a significant evolution in policy and provision for people with disabilities.
Among the established building blocks are the strong anti-discrimination framework of employment equality and equal status legislation, the policy of mainstreaming services for people with disabilities and the significant increase in investment in disability services in recent years.
In addition, the Education for Persons with Special Educational Needs Act 2004 establishes a framework for the transformation of special needs education policy.
These milestones set the context for the national disability strategy and the Disability Act 2005, which is designed to support the participation of persons with disabilities in everyday life.
The emphasis in the strategy and the Disability Act is to develop services and the requisite infrastructure in a systematic way. The Act puts on a statutory footing a wide range of measures to improve the position of persons with disabilities in Irish society. Other elements in the strategy include:
* The Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004 which provides for a personal advocacy service to support vulnerable persons with disabilities to access services.
* Outline sectoral plans published by six key departments which are subject of public consultation before they can be finalised for submission to the Oireachtas. The plans will ensure that access for people with disabilities becomes an integral part of service planning and provision.
* The multi-annual investment programme which will provide over e1 billion additional funding, from 2005 to 2009, for high priority disability-specific supports in the health and education sectors.
A number of the provisions in the Disability Act will come into operation on December 31 and there is already evidence of the priority being given to these and to the strategy as a whole.
The National Disability Authority (NDA) has been requested to prepare a draft code of practice to guide public bodies in meeting their obligations under the Disability Act 2005 to make their public services accessible to persons with disabilities. The accessibility requirements come into effect on December 31.
Outline sectoral plans, published by the six departments concerned last September, are subject to consultation before completion.
The six departments came together and actively participated in the regional meetings arranged by the NDA to facilitate public information on consultation on the plans.
The departments have also invited submissions from the public and met with disability interest groups to advance the draft plans before they are finalised for submission to the Oireachtas within the timescale specified in the Disability Act.
The Department of Health and Children has agreed detailed protocols with the HSE governing the implementation of and reporting on the national disability strategy investment programme for the years 2005-’09.
The intention is to enhance existing planning, consultative and monitoring arrangements.
Although not specifically part of the strategy, the NDA recently launched the Excellence Through Accessibility Award for public bodies. This is a positive action measure whereby public bodies who take initiatives to make their facilities and services accessible will be recognised. I understand that there has been a good response to the award scheme which is reflective of the commitment by public bodies to people with disabilities.
The national disability strategy represents a significant commitment by the Government to a more inclusive society for persons with disabilities.
The preparation of the strategy was guided by the cabinet committee on social inclusion. This committee will continue to oversee the implementation of the strategy reflecting the joined-up Government approach which is required to deliver on this commitment.
The continued role of the cabinet committee will ensure the structures are in place across key departments to meet their obligations, many of which come into operation at the end of this year.
The Government’s commitment to follow through on all the elements of the strategy will give tangible results well into the future.
Frank Fahey
Minister of State with special responsibility for Equality
Department of Justice
Equality and Law Reform
St Stephen’s Green
Dublin 1
