Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 29 June 2021
369. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Social Protection the way her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit undertake disability impact assessments; the process by which these assessments are monitored; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [34878/21]
View answerDisability Impact Assessment is the process used for carrying out disability proofing. It involves a comprehensive examination of how any proposed policy, legislation, programme or service impacts on people with disabilities. The Cabinet Handbook requires that all substantive Memoranda should indicate the impact of the proposal(s) on people with disabilities.
When my Department brings proposals to Government, any impact of the proposals on persons with disabilities - positive or negative - is contained in the Memorandum.
In addition, my Department and the bodies under its remit have regard to our public sector duty in all activities as provided for by Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014.
Our Statement of Strategy 2020-2023 outlines our ongoing commitment to ensuring that the Department’s services and information are accessible to all service users and are compliant with its public sector human rights and equality duty. This approach is central to the manner in which the Department operates – by putting the client at the centre of our operations.
We make sure our offices are fully accessible for all. Information is provided in multiple languages and also in braille and the Department provides translation services including a sign language interpretation service. All information booklets and forms are vetted by the National Adult Literacy Association (NALA) to ensure simple and clear language is used. We are constantly reviewing our forms and information on gov.ie with a view to enhancing accessibility and clarity.
The Department regularly consults with stakeholders including organisations representing people with disabilities. Some of the key events in the Department's calendar include the Disability Consultative Forum, the Social Inclusion Forum and Pre-Budget and Post-Budget fora. The extensive engagement with stakeholders allows the Department to take various perspectives into account, thereby increasing the quality of its policies and service delivery.
The Department also supports initiatives to promote awareness on human rights and equality relevant to people with disablities, such as thematic events/days for staff and service users, e.g. International Epilepsy Day, Mental Health Week, and Irish Sign Language Awareness Week.
