John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)

We have taken a number of measures in the Department. We have established the local government disability steering committee and the Disability Act sectoral plan advisory committee, introduced the Building Control Act 2007 to provide for disability access certificates, initiated a review of Part M of the building regulations, introduced the revised housing adaptation grants scheme for older persons and people with a disability in November 2007 and implemented a new protocol governing liaison between housing authorities and the HSE on the assessment of the accommodation needs of people with a disability. A second protocol which deals with support costs for social housing projects for people with a disability is expected to be finalised by the third quarter of 2008. New development management guidelines for planning authorities were issued in 2008.

Building regulations and other statutory instruments were introduced. The local government Disability Act steering committee and the publications of the National Disability Authority, including statutory codes of practice made under the Disability Act 2005, provide guidance and advice to assist local authorities in providing services to people with a disability. Local authorities have competent professional, technical and administrative staff to ensure that services are provided for what I call best practice standards.

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