Finian McGrath (Dublin North Central, Independent)
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498. To ask the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government if local authorities have implemented the 2005 Disability Act; the reason the relevant access officers in each authority since 2005 did not make their managers aware of the legal requirement of the Disability Act 2005; if the local authorities and An Bord Pleanála are made aware by the Minister and his departmental officials of their statutory duties under this Act; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [43892/14]

Alan Kelly (Tipperary North, Labour)
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My Department has supported local authorities in implementing the Disability Act 2005 since its enactment in 2005. A circular was issued by my Department in 2005 identifying the areas of responsibility for local authorities. This was followed up by a Local Government Management Services Board (LGMSB) seminar entitled “Implementing the Disability Act 2005” on 25 April 2006, which was well attended by local authority staff.

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. Local authorities and other bodies under the Department’s aegis were made aware of their statutory responsibilities in this context.

In accordance with my Department’s Sectoral Plan, all local authorities were required to carry out an accessibility audit in respect of all public spaces, public buildings and services owned and operated by them. In total, my Department provided over €77 million, between 2005 and 2010, to assist local authorities in improving access to public spaces, buildings and services for people with disabilities. Funding was allocated annually for purposes of Disability Services to local authorities, on the basis of priority areas identified by them in implementation plans.

Under the Disability Act 2005, civil and public sector bodies are obliged to meet a target of 3% employment of staff with disabilities, unless there are good reasons for not doing so. My Department monitors compliance through an annual survey of all local authority and agencies under its remit.

The Local Government Management Agency (LGMA), which replaced the LGMSB in 2012, takes a central role in the implementation of the Disability Strategy and provides a range of advice and support to local authorities in that regard.