Written answers

Wednesday, 28 November 2007

Department of Justice, Equality and Law Reform

Services for People with Disabilities

8:00 pm

Photo of Joan BurtonJoan Burton (Dublin West, Labour)
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Question 262: To ask the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform the position in relation to support for subtitling services for deaf people in respect of films and other cinema and film material; if his Department has a policy in relation to the provision of such services as a way of boosting access for deaf people to services; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31412/07]

Photo of Brian Lenihan JnrBrian Lenihan Jnr (Dublin West, Fianna Fail)
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Policy in the law — contained in section 4 of the Equal Status Act 2000 — provides that discrimination includes a refusal or failure by the provider of a service to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability by providing special treatment or facilities, if without such special treatment or facilities it would be impossible or unduly difficult for the person to avail himself or herself of the service. A refusal or failure to provide the special treatment or facilities shall not be deemed reasonable unless such provision would give rise to a cost, other than a nominal cost, to the provider of the service in question.

The practical support provided for in the Act of 2000, if there is a failure to provide reasonable accommodation, is that the person who has been discriminated against may seek redress by referring the case to the Equality Tribunal and/or seek advice from the Equality Authority. My Department has no funds out of which moneys are made available for services of the kind referred to by the Deputy.

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