Submission: Proposed Disabilities Bill
To the Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform
Publication date: October 2000
In this Submission, we set out the areas where we believe a proactive legislative approach is essential for the vindication of the rights of people with disabilities. The legislation should reflect and give effect to principles of equality of access, inclusiveness, choice, citizens' rights and integrated service provision. However, legislation will only be effective if there is awareness, enforcement mechanisms, and investment in the relevant services.
Submission: Proposed Disabilities Bill
Submission: Review of Orphan's (Contributory) Allowance and Orphan's (Non-contributory) Pension
Publication date: October 2000
The main points contained in this submission are that:
- More research is required on the circumstances of those in receipt of these allowances in order to target orphans in need.
- There should be a direct relationship between the level of the payments and the Fostering Allowance, to bring it into line with overall policy on Child Support payments.
- The level of payment ought to reflect the level of income of the carer.
Submission: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Review
Publication date: August 2000
The effectiveness of SWA as an income maintenance scheme is dependent on having a mainstream income maintenance system which is itself effective. The original objectives of SWA are still valid - There is a need for a supplementary system to cater for individual need. However, mainstream schemes, rather than SWA, should cater for identifiable group need.
Submission: Supplementary Welfare Allowance Review
Submission: Anti-Racism Information Strategy
Publication date: July 2000
There are considerable misunderstandings about the laws, regulations and procedures which apply to asylum seekers, refugees and immigrants. We consider, therefore, that public information is an essential element of an anti-racism campaign and, in this submission, we put forward ideas for a public information strategy. An information campaign should be integrated with the activities of other relevant agencies, should involve all the relevant government services - including Ireland Aid, should be locally based and should be delivered independently of the Directorate for Asylum Support Services.
Submission: Anti-Racism Information Strategy
Submission: Review of Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Concession Scheme
Publication date: July 2000
The scheme should not be viewed in isolation from other transport/mobility schemes for people with disabilities and should also be reviewed in the context of the proposed analysis of a Cost of Disability payment. There should be a transport/mobility subsidy available to a much wider group of people with disabilities. This should be a direct payment rather than a tax concession and should be based on an individual needs assessment.
Submission: Review of Disabled Drivers and Passengers Tax Concession Scheme
Submission: Local Authority Rent Assistance
To the Planning Group
Publication date: February 2000
Comhairle welcomes the decision to transfer responsibility for the administration of rent assistance from health boards to local authorities and welcomes the fact that the transfer is being phased in over a two-year period. The Board also supports the retention of SWA rent supplement for emergency purposes, as recommended by the 1999 Inter-Departmental Committee Report.
