Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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296. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence his views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which his Department owns and public bodies and agencies under his remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38714/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The Offices of the Department of Defence are secure and access controlled. They are not buildings that are usually open to the general public. As such, services in these buildings are not accessible to the general public.

Defence buildings occupied by the military are not open to the general public. On occasion some organisations, such as schools and sporting clubs, apply for use of Defence Forces facilities and, dependant on military requirements, a conditional Licence may be granted for the use of that facility.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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297. To ask the Taoiseach and Minister for Defence the way that his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38732/22]

Simon Coveney (Cork South Central, Fine Gael)
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The National Disability Inclusion Strategy (NDIS) 2017-2021 is the key framework for policy and action to address the needs of people with disabilities. Its aim is to improve the lives of people with disabilities in Ireland.

My Department is committed to doing all that is reasonable to assist people with disabilities seeking to avail of or access statutory entitlements or services provided by or under statute. It should be noted that my Department does not operate any public offices, nor does it generally supply direct services to the public.

The only State body currently under the aegis of my Department is the Army Pensions Board which is an independent statutory body, established under the Army Pensions Act 1927 and consisting of a chairman and two ordinary members. The Secretary to the Board is provided from the staff of my Department and therefore, any service requests will be supplied by my Department.

In compliance with Part 5 of the Disability Act 2005, my Department has undertaken, where practicable, to promote and support the employment of people with disabilities. The Department continues to operate in a non-discriminatory environment in accordance with the Equality Acts and aims to ensure that the principles of employment equality are implemented in recruitment, promotion, training and work experience. Recruitment to my Department is open to all applicants, and reasonable accommodation is afforded to those with a declared disability.

I will continue to work with my Government colleagues on matters arising in the area of disability.