Willie Penrose (Westmeath, Labour)
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Question 866: To ask the Minister for Education and Science if, during the course of the decentralisation of 300 personnel from her Department to Mullingar there will be provision for people with disabilities; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14755/07]

Mary Hanafin (Dún Laoghaire, Fianna Fail)
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At present my Department provides any supports required by members of staff with disabilities in all of its locations in so far as this is possible. In general it is possible to provide any supports requested. This practice will be continued in respect of the 300 posts to decentralise to Mullingar. My Department must comply with the provisions of Part 5 of the Disability Act, 2005 in relation to the employment of persons with disabilities, as defined in the Act.

The provision of office space in Mullingar is a matter for the OPW. However, both Part M of the Building Regulations 1997 and the Disability Act 2005 regulate a minimum level of provision to be made within the office space for persons with disabilities.