Govt agrees to change disability bill
The Government has agreed to significant changes in the forthcoming disability bill, it emerged tonight.
The Disability Legislation Consultation Group (DLCG) said it had received commitments from Taoiseach Bertie Ahern which would address some of the concerns expressed by its members.
“It will go someway towards that but here are still some outstanding issues,” said chairwoman Angela Kerins.
The legislation, which is currently going through the Seanad, will now contain new cabinet procedures which will see every piece of legislation discussed with disabled people in mind.
A disabled person who is assessed for services will be able to meet face-to-face with the liaison officer reviewing their service statement.
Complaints officers will have to give timetables to disabled people who are left waiting for assessments and other services, and an annual report will be presented to the Dáil and Seanad containing the number and profile of people awaiting assessment.
The last Disability Bill, which promised to deliver high-quality support services for people with disabilities, was withdrawn before the 2002 general election following protests over its failure to include rights-based access to services.
Similar concerns have been expressed about the current bill and three groups - the National Association for Mentally Handicapped of Ireland (Namhi), the Forum on People with Disabilities, and the National Parents and Siblings Alliance (NPSA) – have withdrawn from the DLCG in protest.
Ms Kerins said the group would continue to push for more amendments to the legislation, which is expected to be passed within weeks.
“The legacy of this Bill is how it will impact on people’s lives at a local level. That is how it will be judged.”
