Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 562: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the position regarding the implementation of the sectoral plans in his Department as part of the Disability Act 2005; if he envisages delays in the roll out of the timetable set out in his announcement in July 2006; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [40093/06]

Dick Roche (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
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As required under the Disability Act 2005, my Department's sectoral plan was approved by the Houses of the Oireachtas in October 2006. The plan, covering my Department, its partner bodies and local authorities, sets out national objectives and guidelines for access to public buildings, services, amenities, and information, as well as to heritage sites and other facilities. The plan provides for a range of positive measures, including improvements to Part M of the Building Regulations, the introduction of a new Disability Access Certificate and the development of a Housing Strategy for people with disabilities. The implementation of these measures will promote and pro-actively encourage equal opportunities for persons with disabilities to participate in the economic, social and cultural life of the community.

Significant progress is being made on the implementation of my Department's sectoral plan. The Building Control Bill 2005 is before the Oireachtas and is expected to be enacted in the first quarter of 2007. The Bill provides for a Disability Access Certificate and will strengthen enforcement powers of Building Control Authorities as well as simplify the prosecution process. In addition, the Review of Part M of the Building Regulations is ongoing; following receipt of more than 40 submissions during the preliminary public consultation phase, a Building Regulations Advisory Board (BRAB) Expert Working Group will shortly submit preliminary draft proposals to amend Part M regime for consideration by BRAB.

The review of the Disabled Persons Grant scheme has been finalised within my Department. The aim of the review has been to refocus the available funding, to streamline the procedures governing the operation of the grant schemes, and to heighten consistency in operation across local authorities. The revised grant scheme will be published and implemented in early 2007.

Investment by local authorities to meet the needs of people with disabilities, and to fulfil their obligations under the Disability Act 2005, is being directed toward providing new or improved access to and within public buildings, amenities, streetscapes etc, including electronic equipment and adaptations, and towards training, accessibility audit work, improved access to information services, software etc. I have provided €18 million in 2006 to help local authorities and other bodies under the aegis of my Department to implement the National Disability Strategy, as part of a multi-annual funding programme, begun in 2005, which will continue until 2009.

I do not envisage delays in the timetable as set out in the sectoral plan.