Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 May 2020
1046. Deputy Carol Nolan asked the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport if he will consider including an equality impact study in a large-scale transport infrastructure project or service change to assess the impact on persons with disabilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4551/20]
Amharc ar fhreagraMy Department requires all major investments in transport infrastructure and services to be appraised across a range of criteria under the sector specific guidelines set out in the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes (CAF - https://www.gov.ie/en/organisation-information/800ea3-common-appraisal-framework/). With respect to an objective on increasing accessibility and social inclusion, it is a requirement that the project appraisal set out and account for the expected impacts of the proposed transport investment in respect of vulnerable groups, this encompasses persons with disabilities.
In evaluating and prioritising investment, it is a requirement to identify the need for a scheme and to outline its objectives. For transport projects, the objectives must fall under six main criteria. In relation to the equality impact of transport investments, one of these is ‘Accessibility and Social Inclusion’. This refers to a transport scheme’s ability to impact upon a community’s access to services and social amenities. These criteria form the high level criteria for appraising the expected benefits and impact of the scheme. Sponsoring agencies preparing business cases for transport schemes are required to consider and assess if any accessibility impacts for the general public and in particular, vulnerable groups—either positive or negative—are likely to arise as a result of the investment. Such vulnerable groups include, for example, those experiencing social deprivation, geographic isolation, physical or intellectual impairment. It is required that, to the extent that is possible, the scale of the anticipated impacts is set out within the appraisal, along with the specific groups likely to be impacted and how many people in those groups are likely to be impacted.
In respect of the requirements outlined above, I also note that the Strategic Research and Analysis Division in my Department is currently undertaking a work programme to review, update and improve the Departments existing sectoral guidance (the Common Appraisal Framework for Transport Projects and Programmes 2016). This review and update will reflect the new requirements for evaluating, planning and measuring public investment as set out in the recently revised Public Spending Code published at the end of 2019. It also includes an examination of current approaches to measuring the impacts of projects or service changes to identify improvements that can be made. I expect that an updated Common Appraisal Framework will be published in the second half of 2020.
Finally, as the Deputy may be aware, the Public Sector Duty, as provided for in Section 42 of the Irish Human Rights and Equality Commission Act 2014, places a legal obligation on all public bodies, including all central government departments, to promote equality, prevent discrimination and protect the human rights of their employees and everyone affected by their functions and services.
To meet our Public Sector Duty, my Department has established an implementation group which is carrying out an assessment to identify human rights and equality issues, including disability issues that are relevant to the functions of my Department, as a policy maker, employer and service provider. The assessment will also identify the policies and practices that are in place, or any additional measures that may be required to address these issues.
