Services for People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 21 March 2018

Wednesday, 21 March 2018

Questions (274)

Bobby Aylward

Question:

274. Deputy Bobby Aylward asked the Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine if he is satisfied that the appointment of two access officers is sufficient in providing assistance to persons with disabilities that contact his Department; if the two access officers have received sufficient training in assisting persons with literacy or learning difficulties that may have problems with understanding or interpreting his Department's rules and regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [13119/18]

Written answers

Minister for Agriculture, Food and the Marine

I wish to inform the Deputy that 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 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 and have completed the NDA on line E-learning Disability Equality Training course.