The Government has announced it is to change the Disability Bill, following complaints from interested parties. Junior Minister Mary Wallace, who has responsibility for the Bill, attended today's Cabinet meeting and secured Government agreement to the changes.
These include the removal of the controversial Section 47, and the addition of extra provisions dealing with the independent assessment of needs, appeals, and enforcement.
Minister Wallace says she plans to meet the groups involved in the coming weeks to discuss their proposed approach to the issues and to finalise the proposed amendments. The National Association for the Mentally Handicapped has called on the Government to go back to the drawing board with the Bill.
The Labour leader Ruairí ‘uinn earlier said the opposition should mount a full-scale onslaught on the Bill. Speaking in the Dᩬ today, the Tᮡiste said the Bill would not be withdrawn. She said the Government wanted to get the Bill right.
Labour Party Equality Spokesperson has called on the government to give immediate clarification on its intentions to redraft the Disabilities Bill. In a statement tonight Jan O'Sullivan said the removal of Section 47 was "not enough and misses the point". She also said Minister Mary Wallace should not use the Six o'clock news to put her spin on such a crucial piece of legislation.
Also this evening, it was announced that the scheme to compensate victims of child abuse is to be extended. It will now include some former hospital patients, residents in some special schools and some residents of Magdalen laundries.
