Why is this Important:
The Department’s remit in the Inland Fisheries Division involves the regulation, through the Fisheries Boards, of the Inland Fisheries resource. As a sector with considerable social, leisure and tourism dimensions, accessibility for all, both physical and in terms of information is a key issue.
The Central and Regional Fisheries Bodies
The Department has responsibility for the following 8 bodies that can be construed as public bodies within the meaning of the Disability Act 2005.
- Central Fisheries Board
- Eastern Regional Fisheries Board
- North Western Regional Fisheries Board
- South Western Regional Fisheries Board
- Southern Regional Fisheries Board
- Western Regional Fisheries Board
- Northern Regional Fisheries Board
- Shannon Regional Fisheries Board
In addition the Foyle, Carlingford and Irish Lights Commission is a North South Body established under the British Irish Agreement Act 1999.
Funding is a factor which determines the extent of facilities provided by the bodies, including facilities for persons with disabilities. Given their non-commercial status, the bodies rely almost entirely on the Exchequer for their funding. They will also be encouraged to investigate alternative sources of funding, such as the NDP 2007 – 2013, for the provision of additional and upgrading of existing facilities.
Obligations Imposed on the Fisheries Boards
The bodies have been requested to undertake, during 2006, an access audit, which will identify the facilities in place, the scope for further facilities, constraints, where relevant, for providing further facilities and recommendations for a plan of action for the provision of facilities over a specified period of time. It is envisaged that an approved plan of action will be in place by early 2007. In this regard, an appropriate provision has been included in the performance contracts between the Department and the bodies, which are reviewed annually.
What are the Key Issues Going Forward?
Many of the public offices of the bodies are accessible by people with disabilities. However some of the regional fisheries boards are housed in facilities which are dated and in need of upgrading.
All of the bodies accept that every effort should be made to improve accessibility when improvements are being planned and carried out.
In this regard, the access audit mentioned above will also include an audit of the bodies’ public offices with a view to identifying a plan of action to ensure compliance with the requirements of the Disability Act within the deadlines specified in it.
Actions which the Fisheries Boards Plan to Take
Each of the bodies has been instructed to ensure that all staff are made aware of the legislation in place governing the provision of services to persons with disabilities and that appropriate references to such provision is included in their customer charters.
All bodies will endeavour to ensure that information provided by them is available in formats that are accessible by persons with disabilities.
Furthermore, the bodies will seek to ensure that their websites are fully accessible. The bodies will be required to report on the policies, practices and services for people with disabilities and on progress on achieving Sectoral Plan targets in each of their annual reports.
To date a number of the fisheries boards have provided facilities to improve access for disabled anglers in various locations around the country. The boards will, insofar as is safe and practicable, aim to provide as many facilities as possible in appropriate locations. It is intended that information in relation to the location and details of these facilities will be made available centrally.