Under the Disability Act 2005, six Government Departments, including DCMNR are to publish a Sectoral Plan in relation to matters specified in the Act. Sectoral Plans (SP) are to be laid before the Oireachtas by July 28th, 2006.
The Sectoral Plan of the Department of Communications, Marine and Natural Resources covers the areas which come within the Department’s remit, and how the provisions of the Disability Act, 2005 affect them.
The Plan for DCMNR was drawn up by CSD with (HoF approved) inputs from each of the relevant Divisions, State Agencies and Regulatory Authorities. The Plan sets targets for improving the range of accessible services in the sectors (Broadcasting, Communications, Energy and Marine) under its aegis and complaints and redress procedures were approved by the Office of the Ombusdsman. The Plan will be reviewed every three years and amended and updated as necessary.
In the preparation of its Plan, the Department consulted widely with the Disability Sector including National Disability Authority (NDA) and the Disability Legislation Consultation Group. A public consultation process was also completed.
In the case of the Broadcasting sector, the Plan deals with the role of the independent Broadcasting Commission of Ireland and its responsibilities for regulating the sector, including RTE.
The independent Commission for Communications Regulation-Comreg- has responsibility for the universal service provider roles assigned to eircom, and to an Post.
The independent Commission for Energy Regulation (CER) exercises a role in the regulation of energy supply providers.
The Plan also sets out the initiatives, ongoing and envisaged, which will be taken to ensure that, to the greatest possible extent and in as short a timeframe as possible, access to all services provided by the Department and its agencies is available to all users.
In meeting its commitments under the SP, DCMNR will :
- appoint an official to oversee and monitor the implementation of the Plan.
- ensure that the needs of people with disabilities are addressed in drafting legislation.
- incorporate disability proofing in its regulatory impact analysis in developing new policies, practices and services, and in reviewing existing ones.
- include SP commitments in Statements of Strategy and Business Plans.
- submit progress reports to MC on a six monthly basis and in Annual Reports.
- liase very closely with the National Disability Authority on roll out
- participate in the High-Level Group on Disability co-ordinating SP implementation
In the same vein, the Plan sets out the Department’s targets in relation to accessibility considerations for its buildings, and the employment of persons with disabilities.
Approach to Implementation:
A cross divisional team was set up for the implementation of the requirements under the Act which apply to DCMNR and public bodies under its aegis generally. The NDA’s Code of Practice (the approved Code of Practice via S.I.) supports bodies in their statutory obligations under sections 26, 27 and 28 of the Act. Compliance with the code is considered compliance with these sections of the Act.
Key Activities:
The key activities in progress or already undertaken to ensure compliance with the Act include:
- Key stakeholders identified and responsibility assigned for the internal actions.o Review procurement procedures to ensure that requirements of the Disability Act are met
- Update Customer Service Charter to include actions to meet requirement of the Act
- Review compliance with the target for the employment of people with disabilities (carried out annually and reported as required under Sustaining Progress).
Monitoring Arrangements
The Department will establish, within 6 months of the publication of the plan, a committee representative of people with disabilities, the NDA and the Sectors covered in the Plan, to monitor its implementation.