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The Minister for Justice, Equality and Defence, Alan Shatter T.D. and the Minister of State for Disability, Equality, Mental Health and Older People, Kathleen Lynch TD, today announced the publication of "Guidelines for Government Departments: How to conduct a Disability Impact Assessment."

Government procedures require all substantive proposals submitted to Cabinet to take account of the impact on persons with disabilities.

In making the announcement Minster Shatter emphasised the priority given by Government to equality and said, "the Government welcomes these very practical guidelines, which have been developed for my Department by the Equality Authority and the National Disability Authority."

The Minister noted that, "these guidelines will assist Government Departments in implementing the Public Service Reform Plan with its focus on the delivery of quality and cost-effective frontline services to citizens. Carrying out a disability impact assessment helps to ensure that decisions are taken with full awareness of the impact of those decisions on persons with disabilities."

The Government must ensure in 2012, and continuing thereafter, that funding is allocated for maximum provision of services for people with disabilities, having regard to overall resource constraints which affect all sectors at this time.

The Guidelines will be made available on www.justice.ie