Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

1106. To ask the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth if his attention has been drawn to the fact that Cork City Council does not have a disability officer; and if this is a requirement. [1580/22]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There are existing statutory requirements regarding accessible information and services that all public bodies are bound by and which they must be cognisant of when conducting and planning their normally funded functions. This approach is designed to integrate accessibility into core business functions. 

There is no statutory requirement for a disability officer in public bodies. The Deputy may be referring to access officers.

To support persons who may have particular needs, section 26 of the Disability Act 2005 requires the authorisation of at least one officer of a public body to provide or arrange for and co-ordinate the provision of assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing its services.  This officer is referred to as an 'access officer' in the Act.

Where a person believes that the provisions of the Act are not being properly adhered to section 38 of the Act entitles a person to make a complaint in writing to the Head of the public body in question.  I will also contact the CEO of Cork City Council to remind the CEO of these statutory obligations.