Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 8 July 2021
309. Deputy Pauline Tully asked the Minister for Justice the funding that was allocated in her Department for assistive technologies for persons with disabilities in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 respectively; the additional funding needed to increase funding for assistive technologies by 5%, 10% and 25% respectively; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [37019/21]
View answerAs the Deputy will be aware, my Department follows the Civil Service Code of Practice on the employment of people with disabilities.
I wish to advise the Deputy that while there is no specific budget allocated for assistive technologies required for persons with disabilities in my Department, these additional supports are available to staff on request as required.
All such requests are made through our Disability Liaison Officer and the required assistive technologies are identified, sourced and purchased through our ICT division. These costs fall under the wider ICT budget and no limit is put in terms of sending on assistive technologies. Where they are required to support staff they will be provided.
Assistive technologies are in place in public buildings used by customers to ensure they are accessible to persons with disabilities. These supports are provided and funded by the Office of Public Works (OPW) under the Universal Access Fund.
The costs associated with assistive technologies purchased by my Department in 2019, 2020 and to date in 2021 are outlined below.
|
Year |
€ |
|
2021 (to date) |
€3,416.88 |
|
2020 |
€1,115.09 |
|
2019 |
€1,771.20 |
