Michael D Higgins (Galway West, Labour)
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Question 94: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the measures his Department has put in place to ensure that local authorities conform to best practice in disability access rather than meeting just the minimal legal requirements; and if he will ensure that best practice applies not just to buildings but to websites, customer service counters, leaflets, public meetings, procurement policies and so on. [14451/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department's Sectoral Plan, as provided for in section 31 of the Disability Act 2005, was developed in consultation with people with disabilities to assist the Department and local authorities in supporting an inclusive society with accessible buildings, facilities, services and information. The Plan provides for monitoring, review and reporting arrangements. There are statutory provisions, codes of practice and guidelines available to assist local authorities in providing the measures required in the Sectoral Plan. One such document is the "Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information Provided by Public Bodies", published by the National Disability Authority under section 30 of the Disability Act. It covers access to services provided by a public body and the provision of information to the public. This Code will assist local authorities to develop best practice in meeting their obligations under the Act.

My Department is represented on the Local Government Disability Act Steering Committee, established by the Local Government Management Services Board, to address common issues across local authorities, update best practice guidance where required, organise staff seminars as appropriate and promote consistent implementation of the obligations under the Act across authorities. One of the initiatives taken by the committee was the establishment of the Good Practice in Accessibility website to support local authority personnel implementing the National Disability Strategy. The site showcases good practice, provides practical answers to common queries, hosts a discussion forum and provides links to relevant published material. My Department has also established a Disability Act Sectoral Plan Advisory Committee, representative of the Department, people with disabilities, the National Disability Authority, bodies under the aegis of the Department and local authorities to provide a forum to assist in the review of progress in implementation of the plan.