Written answers
Thursday, 11 March 2021
Department of Public Expenditure and Reform
Departmental Bodies
Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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60. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if he or his predecessor received any notifications under appendix 4, circular 12/2010 (details supplied) since January 2016 in relation to the bodies under his aegis; the bodies under his aegis to which such nominees are placed; if all such civil servants are aware of their obligations under this circular; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13724/21]
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that a deferred reply will be issued to him in respect of this Parliamentary Question, in line with Standing Order 51B.
Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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61. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform the bodies under his aegis operating under the Code of Practice on Accessibility of Public Services and Information provided by Public Bodies; if all such bodies have a trained access officer; if so, the year they first appointed an access officer; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13725/21]
Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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63. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the bodies under his aegis have an access team; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13727/21]
Gerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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64. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if the bodies under his aegis have an evacuation chair for mobility-impaired persons in cases in which it is required at all their premises; if staff or agents at such premises have formal training with regard to the use of such a chair; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13728/21]
Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 61, 63 and 64 together.
The information requested by the Deputy relating to the bodies under the aegis of my Department is set out in the below table.
| Body/Agency | Code of Practice currently in operation? | Trained Access Officer | Access Officer appointed | Access Team available | Evacuation Chair available | Staff trained for the use of evacuation chair |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| Office of Public Works | Yes | Yes | 2015 | Yes | Yes – multiple locations | Yes |
| National Shared Services Office | Yes | No (theNSSO works with Access Officers in each PSB. The NSSO also intends to further examine its provision of services in line with the Code of Practice and as part of a programme of continuous improvement generally)In relation to buildings, this role is covered by the facilities team and H&S officers. In addition, the NSSO has a dedicated DLO to assist staff. | - | No (while the NSSO does not have a dedicated access team, the NSSO always seeks to make reasonable accommodations and follow National Disability Authority accessibility guidelines where possible, and works with Access Officers in each PSB in the event that any customer/employee of that PSB may require further assistance.The buildings aspect of the role is covered by the facilities team) | Yes – multiple locations | Yes |
| Public Appointments Service | Yes | Yes | Yes (Current officer appointed in 2017, previous officer in situ since enactment) | Yes (ED&I Unit in place with Access Office & Disability Champion; ED&I Staff Forum also in place) | Yes | Yes |
| Office of the Ombudsman | Yes | Yes | Yes (current officer appointed in 2018, previous officer in situ since 2006) | No | No (not deemed necessary as the Office has have safe refuge areas in the building where staff go in the event of fire) | - |
| State Laboratory | No (the State Laboratory provides an analytical and advisory service to Government Departments and Offices and has no dealings with the public) | No | - | No | No (visitors and staff with a temporary disability do not have access to the first floor. For visitors with restricted mobility, meetings rooms are located on the ground floor) | - |
| National Lottery Regulator | Yes | Yes | 2019 | No | No | - |
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