Martin Browne (Tipperary, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

No P00039/24, “Urging the Ombudsman and Workplace Relations Commission to Improve Their Own Accessibility Standards”, is from Mr. B. Hogan. This petition relates to a request for the Workplace Relations Commission, WRC, and the Ombudsman to provide a detailed account of the training their staff receive in assisting individuals with disabilities to access their services. As someone who has navigated these services, the petitioner found there is a significant focus on physical accessibility, while other crucial aspects of disability support are overlooked. The WRC and ombudsman play pivotal roles in investigating complaints under the Disability Act 2005 and the Equal Status Act 2000, which are expansive in their definition of disability. However, it appears that these organisations fail to comprehend and provide assistance to the diverse community of disabilities.

The petitioner’s experience reflects a need for staff training in communication, procedural accommodations, and sensitivity to the diverse needs of those with disabilities. The lack of diverse accessibility undermines the integrity of these institutions and hinders individuals with disabilities from seeking justice and support. It is as if they believe they are above the legislation they implement.

The petitioner urges the Government to hold these bodies accountable for providing equitable service to all citizens, regardless of their abilities. It is imperative that the WRC and the Ombudsman lead by example, demonstrating compliance with the legislation they are entrusted to enforce. He is also concerned that the staff in the Office of the Ombudsman lack the necessary skills to interpret legislation effectively, resorting to a literal reading of the law that fails to capture its spirit and intended impact on individuals with disabilities. The petitioner also asks what protections be put in place to maintain integrity when staff conflicts of interest arise.

The recommendation is that the correspondence from the WRC and that from the Ombudsman be forwarded to the petitioner for information. In consideration of the response from the WRC and the Ombudsman, it is also recommended the petition cannot be progressed further by this committee and should be deemed closed and that the petitioner be advised of same. Do members have views on this or is it agreed?