49 Mr. Bell asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the steps being taken to promote the wider employment of persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [32109/01]

This Government is committed to ensuring equal opportunities for people with disabilities in the areas of training and employment and has taken a strategic approach to policy development involving both legislative and positive action measures to achieve this end.

The Government made a critical change in the law in this area with the Employment Equality Act, 1998 which, provides protection for people with disabilities in employment and training against discrimination. The Equality Authority and the Office of the Director of Investigations were established to underpin statutory rights under the Act and to provide a means of redress. I am proud to say that this legislation places Ireland ahead of many other member states in the European Community with regard to the protection for people with disabilities against discrimination in employment.

A further significant development has been the introduction of mainstreaming disability policy which was launched by an Taoiseach in June 2000, requiring that public service bodies which provide services for the public are the same bodies that provide services for people with disabilities.