No requirement for dedicated full-time inclusion officer in Kildare, say council
Photo for illustrative purposes only
It looks as though there will continue to be a lack of a full time access and inclusion officer in the local area for the foreseeable future.
At the most recent full meeting of Kildare County Council (KCC), cllr Peggy O’Dwyer motioned “that the council identifies a funding source for a dedicated full-time post holder for an Access and Inclusion Officer in line with obligations under the Disability Act 2005.”
Cllrs Angela Feeney and Bernard Caldwell supported the motion.
A report issued by KCC in response to Cllr O’Dwyer’s motion referred to Section 26(2) of the Disability Act 2005, which states that “Each head of a public body referred to in subsection (1) shall authorise at least one of his or her officers (referred to in this Act as “access officers”) to provide or arrange for and coordinate the provision of assistance and guidance to persons with disabilities in accessing its services”.
The report said that the organisation has met its obligations under the aforementioned act in appointing Michael Hurley as Access Officer. The report added that “there is not a requirement for a dedicated full-time post holder.”
Mr Hurley has been the senior executive safety/access officer at KCC since 2012. Speaking at the meeting, Cllr O’Dwyer recognised the work that Mr Hurley does.
Cllr O’Dwyer is a member of Newbridge Disability Access Group.
Cllr Caldwell, also speaking at the meeting, noted that the lack of KCC executive presence at an important event related to access and inclusion on the Curragh last year.
