Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022
453. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Justice the way that her Department and public bodies and agencies under her remit are implementing action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38741/22]
View answerI wish to advise the Deputy that my Department has noted the role of the Disability Consultative Committee as a valuable forum for engagement. In the development of its Equality, Diversity and Inclusion (EDI) Strategy, my Department consulted with stakeholders from several disability stakeholder groups. The feedback has played a significant role in informing and strengthening the development of its EDI strategy.
As part of its work regarding awareness raising campaigns, the Department convened a working group on Campaign Evaluation and Measurement. The group has reviewed several frameworks to shape campaign planning and is developing a guide for colleagues based on this work. The Department’s Access Officer has been asked to input to a checklist document for campaign planning to ensure that accessibility issues are considered at an early stage.
The checklist document requires that any campaign team consult with Internal and External stakeholders in a way that reflects the Department’s responsibilities and commitments to:
- Inclusive stakeholder groups
- Accessible outreach.
- Language inclusivity.
- Offering opportunities for all to be heard.
I have requested the information sought by the Deputy from the agencies, bodies and offices under the remit of my Department in relation to implementation of action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021.
I wish to advise the Deputy that many of the agencies and bodies under the aegis of my Department have informed me that they actively engage with staff who have disabilities to ensure that their working environment and specific needs are addressed.
Additionally, as part of the Courts Service Modernisation Programme, engagements with a wide variety of stakeholder groups is ongoing, including with bodies that represent people with disabilities.
In line with strategic objective 4 of the Garda Diversity and Integration Strategy 2019-2021, the Garda National Diversity and Integration Unit (GNDIU) established a Garda National Diversity Forum to monitor and review the implementation of the strategy and also to act as a critical friend. The Forum is made up of 15 representatives of communities and key stakeholders from across the entire diversity spectrum and also includes, as invited guests, the Policing Authority. The Irish Criminal Justice Disability Network (ICJDN) is also represented on the Garda National Diversity Forum.
While the monitoring function of the Forum is to ensure An Garda Síochána carry out the commitments in the strategy, the Forum also provides a link to minority communities and are a voice for concerns within those communities.
The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) have advised me that they have engaged with the National Advocacy Service to provide assistance and improved accessibility to its services. I understand GSOC also attend National Disability Authority conferences in order to be engaged and up to date on legislation and best practice.
I am informed that the Data Protection Commission (DPC) is on track to meet of all its commitments under the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021, and that the DPC is committed to engagement with people with disabilities and has had engagement in public consultation, e.g. the DPC's consultation on Children's Rights, where they identified and engaged with relevant groups.
I am also advised that the Legal Services Regulatory Authority (LSRA) seek engagements with persons with disabilities through their research and consultation work on an ongoing basis, and are still working through their statutory reporting agenda with that in mind where feasible.
The Legal Aid Board has assured me that they are committed to ensuring people with disabilities have equal access to legal advice. The Legal Aid Board has appointed an Access Officer in accordance with the Disability Act and the Access Officer is responsible for providing or arranging for, and coordinating assistance and guidance, to persons with disabilities accessing services provided by the Board. The Board also has in place Disability Liaison Officers (DLO) whose role is to assist and support staff with disabilities by providing necessary information, appropriate contacts, guidance, suggestions and advice.
The Deputy may also wish to note that the Legal Aid Board established an External Consultative Panel a number of years ago. The purpose of this panel is to provide a forum to enable the Board to keep stakeholders informed and updated on relevant developments in the areas in which the Board has an interest and to facilitate stakeholders to provide feedback and assistance to the Board on the Board’s services from the perspective and informed position of the stakeholder. The Citizens Information Board (CIB) has a representative on the Panel. The CIB has a mandate to advocate for people with disabilities and supports that National Advocacy Service (NAS) for people with disabilities. In January 2022 representatives from the Disability Federation of Ireland also joined the Panel.
