David Stanton (Cork East, Fine Gael)
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Question 33: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if he can provide a full listing of the sections of the Disability Act 2005 which have been implemented and are fully operational; the dates when they came into effect; the details of the sections of the Act which remain to be implemented and the timescale for the implementation of same; if all sections of the Act have and will be implemented on schedule; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [9746/06]

Michael McDowell (Dublin South East, Progressive Democrats)
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All parts of the Disability Act 2005 for which I have responsibility have been commenced with the exception of Part 6 which provides for the establishment of a centre for excellence in universal design in the National Disability Authority, NDA. Part 6 will commence on 1 January 2007. The commencement of Part 2 is the responsibility of the Minister for Health and Children, in consultation with the Minister for Education and Science.

The following parts and sections of the Act came into operation on 29 July 2005: Part 1 — Preliminary and General — which includes provisions relating to commencement, interpretation and provision of resources; sections 24 and 30-37 in Part 3 which relate to codes of practice and sectoral plans; and Part 7 — Miscellaneous — which includes provisions relating to amendments to the Broadcasting Act 2001 and the Equal Status Act 2000.

On 31 December 2005, the following provisions of the Act came into operation: sections 25-28 which relate to access to buildings, services and information; sections 38-40 which relate to the complaints procedures surrounding access to buildings and services and sectoral plans; Part 4, which relates to genetic testing; and Part 5, which relates to public service employment. Section 29 of the Act which relates to access to heritage sites will come into operation on 31 December 2007.

The following progress has been made on the implementation of the key provisions of the Disability Act that have been commenced. Departments have made provision for expenditure on service delivery in 2006 under the Act as required by section 5 of the Act. Departments and other public bodies are implementing the accessibility provisions of the Act including the appointment of access officers and the establishment of complaints procedures. The NDA has prepared a code of practice, at my request, in regard to sections 26, on accessibility to services provided by public bodies, 27, on accessibility of services supplied to public bodies, and 28, on access to information through communication formats. I have arranged with the Attorney General for formal drafting of an order for my signature to give effect to the code. The six Departments required to do so have produced outline sectoral plans relating to service delivery by those Departments and public bodies under their aegis. The Departments are involved in a major consultation process with a view to laying the plans before the Oireachtas not later than 28 July 2006. Departments, public bodies and the NDA are progressing the implementation of the provisions of the Act relating to the employment of people with disabilities.