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Organisation Information

Disability access to department buildings and information


Disability Act 2005

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 under the Disability Act 2005

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.

If you cannot fully access any information on this website please contact AccessOfficer@dfheris.gov.ie

Contact access officers

Access Officer for information purposes

The department has an access officer, who coordinates help and advice to people with disabilities who need access to our services.

Access Officer for Information: Caroline Whelan

Email:

AccessOfficer@dfheris.gov.ie

Visitors to department offices

Access officer, Marlborough Street Complex: Peter Carroll

Address:
Marlborough Street, Dublin 1, D01 RC96
Email:

peter_carroll@education.gov.ie

Telephone:
01 889 6506

Access Officer, Saint Stephen’s Green Office: Andrew Devlin

Address:
52 St Stephen's Green, Dublin 2, D02 DR67
Email:

andrew_devlin@dfheris.gov.ie

Telephone:
(086) 203 9080

Access Officer, Tullamore Office: Deirdre Bane

Email:

deirdre_bane@education.gov.ie

Telephone:
(087) 705 6819

Inquiry Officer

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.

A complaint can be made in person, in writing, by phone, email, or with an assistant. In accordance with section 39 of the 2005 Act, the Department will refer a complaint under section 38 to an Inquiry Officer to facilitate the processing of complaints. Where it is not clear that a complaint falls under section 38 of the Act, the Department may seek further information before referring the matter to an Inquiry Officer.

The relevant Inquiry Officer will then investigate the complaint in private and will prepare a report setting out their findings and determinations on the following matters:

  • Whether there has been a failure by the Department to comply with the requirements of sections 25, 26, 27 or 28 of the 2005 Act;
  • If there is a determination that there has been such a failure, the steps the Department will take to comply with the relevant section.

This report will be made available to the Secretary General of the Department and to the person who made 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:

Office of the Secretary General, Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Address:
52 Saint Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2, D02 DR67
Telephone:
+353 (0)1 889 6465