People with Disabilities in Ireland
4th Floor Jervis House
Jervis Street
Dublin 1
Telephone: 01 87 21 74 4
Fax: 01 87 21 77 1
Email: info@pwdi.ie
The following are some relevant Dáil replies from Ministers to TDs on the issue of disability.
Cost of Disability Payment
Ms Lynch (Cork North Central) asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Health and Children her proposals to implement a cost of disability payment to persons with disabilities; if her attention has been drawn to the fact that all groups dealing with disability concur with the view that a cost of disability payment is essential for promoting independent living; if her attention has further been drawn to the fact that such a payment is recommended by the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities; her views on whether the net effect of not having such a payment coupled with the restrictive means testing of the mobility allowance makes it economically unviable for persons with significant disabilities to participate in paid employment; and if she will make a statement on the matter.
Minister of State at the Department of Health and Children (Mr. T. O'Malley):
Under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness, an interdepartmental working group chaired by the Department of Health and Children was established to examine the feasibility of introducing a cost of disability payment. The National Disability Authority, on behalf of the working group and according to its own remit, commissioned research into the feasibility of a cost of disability payment in Ireland. The purpose of this research was to advise on the additional costs incurred by people with disabilities owing specifically to the direct or indirect costs of the disability and the appropriate mechanisms or instruments by which to address identified additional costs. The resultant report, Disability and the Cost of Living, was published by the NDA early in 2004.
In March, the working group produced a position paper, which gave an overview of the work they have undertaken to date. It outlined the group's current thinking and gave an indication of the next steps the working group intend taking. The working group recommends that urgent steps be taken to improve the quality of data relating to disability in Ireland. This might include, for example, adjustment of existing data gathering exercises undertaken by the Central Statistics Office or other relevant bodies to include questions on the numbers per household with disabilities, the nature of the disability and severity of impairment. The working group considers it vital that comprehensive data is available on which to base consideration of the feasibility of a cost of disability payment. Given its advisory and research remit, the working group considers that the National Disability Authority has an important role to play in addressing these data gaps along with other relevant bodies.
The working group acknowledges that a number of Departments and agencies have previously carried out reviews of the various supports and payments for people with disabilities. However, these reviews have tended to focus solely on the operation of individual schemes without taking a broader overview of how these measures fit into the overall system of disability supports. The working group proposes to examine the scope for rationalising and streamlining the various disability supports measures, with a particular focus on mitigating the additional costs of disability for a greater number of people with disabilities, particularly in the case of those who wish to move from a position of total welfare dependence to one of greater economic independence. The working group is now following up on these matters, which include issues arising from the transport for people with disabilities.
Parking Regulations
Dr. Cowley (Mayo) asked the Minister for Transport his views on whether it is true that disabled parking spaces provided by local authorities are free of charge with no time limit applying; when all car parks will have free parking for disabled drivers with a parking permit; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Minister for Transport (Mr. Cullen):
Traffic and parking regulations made in 1997 under section 35 of the Road Traffic Act 1994 provide that the only vehicles that may stop or park in a disabled person's parking bay are those in which a disabled person's parking permit is displayed, provided the vehicle is being used for the convenience of the person to whom the permit was issued. The prohibition on parking in disabled person's parking bays applies at all times of the day and may not be restricted to particular periods. Equally there is no provision in the regulations for the imposition of a charge for permit holders using the disabled person's parking bays.
Advocacy Services
Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for Social and Family Affairs when he will introduce the advocacy service for persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Minister for Social and Family Affairs (Mr. Brennan): The introduction of a personal advocacy service for people with disabilities is provided for in the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004, which was published in September 2004 in conjunction with the Disability Bill 2004.
The Bill aims to assign additional and enhanced functions to Comhairle, the national information agency, which will enable it to introduce a personal advocacy service for people with disabilities. The Bill envisages advocacy services as "supporting people with disabilities to identify and understand their needs and options, and to secure their entitlements to social services". Social services are broadly defined. They include health, social welfare, education, family support, housing, taxation, citizenship, consumer matters, employment and training.
The proposed service will provide for the assignment of a personal advocate to assist, support and represent a person with a disability in applying for and obtaining social services and in pursuing any right of review or appeal in connection with those services. It is envisaged that the new personal advocacy service will be introduced early in 2008.
In preparation for the services contained in the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004, Comhairle launched a new programme of advocacy services for people with disabilities in September 2005. This programme will be delivered by 13 organisations based across the country in the voluntary and community sector and it will be funded by Comhairle. The funding will provide trained advocates within the organisations concerned to assist vulnerable people with a disability in addressing their individual needs and options. I propose to bring the Comhairle (Amendment) Bill 2004 before the Houses of the Oireachtas early in 2006.
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