Written answers
Tuesday, 13 July 2021
Department of Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht
Rights of People with Disabilities
Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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320. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made towards action 75 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38092/21]
Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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321. To ask the Minister for Culture, Heritage and the Gaeltacht the progress made towards action 76 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021. [38093/21]
Catherine Martin (Dublin Rathdown, Green Party)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 320 and 321 together.
Overall responsibility for coordination of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, rests with the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth. Updates on the progress of the Strategy are published the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth website at www.gov.ie/en/publication/8072c0-national-disability-inclusion-strategy-2017-2021/ :
Within that context responsibility for actions 75 and 76 under the Strategy is shared between my Department and the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage.
The table below details sets the current position in relation to my Department's implementation Actions 75 and 76 of the Strategy 2017-2021 as reported to the Department of Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth.
| Number | Action | Progress Made (June 2021) |
|---|---|---|
| 75 | We will ensure that new buildings and facilities for arts, sport or leisure are based on universal design principles. | Culture: Department of Tourism, Culture, Arts, Gaeltacht, Sport and Media: Provides significant capital support for cultural facilities including the range of cultural institutions nationwide. This capital programme under the National Development Plan (NDP) represents significant investment in arts and cultural centres and targets investment at a range of facilities, including works undertaken to improve disability access to venues Crawford Art Gallery: This will be addressed as part of the Management Development Plan for the Crawford Art Gallery. National Concert Hall: Will adhere to the principles of universal design in its redevelopment project and engage with specialist consultants to shape its approach to building design. Screen Ireland: All our buildings are fully accessible. Gaeltacht: Foras na Gaeilge: During 2017, Foras na Gaeilge’s two Dublin offices were relocated to a new headoffice in Dublin 1. The building was refurbished and is fully accessible and certified in line with latest standards with ramps, lifts and suitable doorways and corridors as well as having accessible bathrooms. New ergonomic chairs were provided for staff and staff with relevant physical impairments have been provided with adjustable desks (an adjustable desk was also provided for another staff member who reported back problems). Similar approach will be taken in relation to any future building moves. Ulster-Scots Agency: Both Agency buildings at Headquarters in Belfast and Regional Office in Raphoe, Co. Donegal are fully accessible in line with latest standards with ramps, lifts and suitable doorways, reception areas, corridors as well as having accessible bathrooms. Where necessary all staff have been issued with specific ergonomic chairs to suit their individual needs - these chairs were set up specifically by an expert provider. Similar approach will be taken in relation to any future building moves. Sport: It is a requirement of the Sports Capital and Equipment Programme that all facilities are accessible to people with disabilities and capital projects must conform to the 7 principles of universal design (). All gym equipment funded must be accessible to people with disabilities and the Department has produced a guide to accessible gym equipment - assets.gov.ie/22798/16dbbb4249904b46a13d31cca975717f.pdf. Sport Ireland National Sports Campus has produced a report on its activity in relation to participation in sport by people with disabilities in 2020. This is available from Sport Ireland. |
| 76 | We will foster disability awareness and competence in voluntary, sporting, cultural and other organisations. We will ensure that disability inclusion is fully integrated into funding programmes, monitored and linked to further funding. | Culture: Arts Council: The Arts Council’s Equality, Human Rights and Diversity (EHRD) Policy and Strategy, is designed to build on a range of existing Arts Council work areas, including an Arts and Disability policy, a Cultural Diversity and the Arts policy and a Dignity at Work policy. Creative Ireland Programme: As part of a Creative Ireland Programme initiative to enhance and further develop access to youth theatre/drama in Ireland, funding has been provided for the hosting of an Inclusion Seminar for youth theatre leaders on Autism Spectrum Disorder and the production of a resource in association with 'As I Am'. National Concert Hall: Are in support of this initiative. Screen Ireland: All our programs are inclusive of all and promoted as such. Gaeltacht: Foras na Gaelige: All Foras na Gaeilge schemes and supports are categorically open to all and promoted as such. Ulster-Scots Agency: Has an Equality Scheme and the current Disability Action Plan which is due to go out for a 12 week consultation. Sport: Sport Ireland Disability Sport Funding 2021 €7.982m: Ongoing support of and investment via Sport Ireland grants is provided to Local Sports Partnerships (LSP's), National Governing Bodies of Sport (NGB's), Paralympics, athletes, CARA (caracentre.ie/) and other agencies. Return to Sport Expert Group: Sport Ireland recommended that CARA be included in the Group to ensure that any return to sport protocols be disability inclusive (caracentre.ie/return-to-sport/). Participation: Sport Inclusion Disability Officers are supported across the 29 LSP's in the LSP Network. 1,137 organisations signed up to the Disability Sport Inclusion Charter. High Performance: Sport Ireland has provided support for para-athletes in qualifying for the Paralympic Games in Tokyo. Innovation: Sport Ireland has worked with the National Disability Authority to capture information on a wide range of innovations/adaptations developed in response to the Covid-19 Pandemic (www.sportireland.ie/covid19/return-to-sport-and-physical-activity). Coaching: Development of an e-learning resource on Coaching People with Disabilities, for use by NGB's and coaches is ongoing. |
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