Disability Access to Department Buildings

The department aims to ensure that the needs of all of its customers, including people with disabilities, are met and that rights to equal treatment are upheld in service delivery. The Disability Act 2005 provides a statutory basis for making public services accessible. Sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Act place obligations on public bodies to make their public buildings, services and information accessible to people with disabilities.

Access Officers are appointed in accordance with section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005. Access Officers are responsible for providing or arranging for, and coordinating assistance and guidance, to persons with disabilities accessing services provided by the offices and generally to act as a point of contact for people with disabilities wishing to access such services.

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Visitors to Department Offices:

Visitors to Marlborough Street Complex can contact:

Visitors to Cornamaddy, Athlone Complex can contact:

Visitors to Tullamore Complex can contact:

For all enquiries relating to Disability Access in Schools contact:

National Council for Special Education (NCSE)

Under the provisions of section 38 of the Disability Act 2005 any individual can make a complaint if the department has not complied with sections 25, 26, 27 or 28 of this Act.

The department appoints Inquiry Officers under the provisions of section 39 of the Disability Act 2005 to facilitate the processing of complaints. A complaint can be made in person, in writing, by phone, fax, email, or with an assistant.

The relevant Inquiry Officer will carry out investigations in private and will produce a report which will say:

• if your complaint is valid
• whether there has been a failure by the department concerning your complaint

Where a failure has happened, the report will outline the steps to be taken to ensure future compliance. This report will be made available to the Secretary General of the department and to the person who makes the complaint.

Complaints should be sent to the Office of the Secretary General who will forward the complaint to the relevant Inquiry Officer for investigation.

The contact details are as follows: