I propose to take Questions Nos. 7, 9, 14 and 15 together.
I understand that the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities hopes to be in a position to publish its report around mid-November. I have not received a copy of the report but, when it has been presented to me, I can assure the Deputy that its recommendations will receive very careful consideration from me and from my colleagues in Government.
The level of interest in the proposed Council for the Status of People with Disabilities has exceeded all expectations. The extra time and resources required to respond to the unprecedented demand by people with disabilities for inclusion in the process was evident by last June to the ad hoc establishment group who are overseeing the setting up of the interim council. For this reason and, in consultation with me, it decided to defer the launch of the interim council until early 1997. However, it is hoped to have the county networks and the national board in place by the end of 1996. The formal launch of the interim council will, I am informed, take place at the end of March 1997. In the meantime, however, both county networks and the national board will have met and started their work.
I recently published the Employment Equality Bill which will prohibit discrimination in employment on a range of grounds, including disability. I intend to publish the Equal Status Bill which will prohibit discrimination on the same grounds in non-employment areas before the end of the year.
When the Commission on the Status of People with Disabilities has issued its report the Government will consider what further legislation is necessary to secure the rights of people with a disability.