Kathleen Lynch (Cork North Central, Labour)
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Question 535: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the progress made in regard to the commitment given in the Programme for Government to make public buildings, footpaths, parks, information and services more accessible to people with disabilities, with real targets set and achieved. [18540/08]

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. There are statutory provisions, codes of practice and guidelines available to assist local authorities in providing the measures required in the Sectoral Plan. Following the completion of accessibility audits, local authorities are required to draw up implementation plans setting out programmes to give effect to the commitments and objectives contained in the Disability Act and the related Sectoral Plan.

Each implementation plan will be published and placed on the authority's website and is required to contain targets and timeframes for carrying out the required works. Priority will be given to local authority buildings and other facilities to which people with disabilities most frequently require access, including footpaths, public amenity areas, information and other services. My Department provides €15 million annually to local authorities to assist them in carrying out actions under the national disability strategy. While information on a national scale is not available, local authorities are required to include the progress they have made in implementing the Sectoral Plan in their annual reports.