Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 28 April 2021
316. Deputy Ged Nash asked the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform further to Parliamentary Questions Nos. 103 and 104 of 1 April 2021, if the Institute of Public Administration could also initiate such a project with its extensive catalogue; if both bodies can be required as conditions of their grants to adhere to public duties on disability and accessibility; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [21837/21]
View answerI understand the legislation referred to by the Deputy is the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014 which confers a duty on public bodies to promote equality, prevent discrimination, and protect the human rights of their employees, customers, service users and everyone affected by their policies and plans. The Act also notes the relevance of the functions and purpose of the body, its size and the resources available to it, in adhering to their duties.
Both the Economic and Social Research Institute (ESRI) and the Institute of Public Administration (IPA) have informed me that they are embedding the broad and comprehensive requirements set out in that legislation which refer to disability, and the Public Sector Duty.
Work is currently underway in the IPA to implement the findings of an accessibility review. Given the functions and purpose of the IPA, this will largely focus on improvements to the physical accessibility of the Institute’s campus, however works to improve digital accessibility are also ongoing.
It is my understanding that both the ESRI and the IPA are committed to providing due care to all stakeholders in relation to disability and accessibility, and these commitments will be reflected in the annual Corporate Governance Agreements between my Department and the Institutes.
