Pauline Tully (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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793. To ask the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine the number of access officers responsible for providing or arranging for and co-ordinating assistance and guidance to people with disabilities accessing his Department's services who are employed in his Department, as required by section 26 (2) of the Disability Act 2005; the way his Department makes its customers aware of this service; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [59285/22]

Charlie McConalogue (Donegal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department aims to ensure that the needs of all its customers, including people with disabilities are met and that the rights of equal treatment are upheld in the delivery of services.

My Department's Statement of Strategy 2021-2024 sets out as one of our core values "A strong commitment to diversity, inclusion and the fair and equal treatment of all." These core values are embraced in respect of both our own employees and customers of the Department who avail of our wide range of services.

In accordance with Section (2) of the Disability Act 2005, I have appointed two Access Officers in my Department, who are available to deal with any requests to provide assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing services provided by my Department.

I am satisfied that two Access officers are adequate to deal with the volume of requests from persons with disabilities who contact my Department for assistance. Over the past three years, the total number of requests of this nature is in single digit figures. The Access officers are experienced members of staff with a wide knowledge of the Department. They engage with the National Disability Authority (NDA) on an ongoing basis and participate in seminars and workshops appropriate to their role. The contact details for the Access Officers and a description of the service are listed on my Department’s website on the Customer Service page.

In addition to the Access Officers, Department officials are available in all regions to provide assistance to applicants who have questions or concerns on any scheme operated by the Department.