Freedom of Information Publication Scheme
The publication scheme is available under six key headings as provided by Section 8 of the Freedom of Information Act 2014.
- Section A: Information about the National Disability Authority
- Section B: Services provided or to be provided to the public
- Section C: Decision making process for major public policy proposals
- Section D: Financial information
- Section E: Procurement
- Section F: FOI disclosure log and other information to be published routinely
About Us
The National Disability Authority (NDA) is the independent statutory body that provides information and advice to the Government on policy and practice relevant to the lives of persons with disabilities. We have a role to assist the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth in the co-ordination of disability policy.
Our functions include research, developing and collaborating on the development of relevant statistics; assisting in the development of standards; developing codes of practice and monitoring the implementation of standards, codes and employment of persons with disabilities in the public service.
We work through our Centre for Excellence in Universal Design to promote the universal design of the built environment, products, services and information and communication technologies so that they can be easily accessed and used by everyone, including persons with disabilities.
Statutory Functions
The functions of the NDA are set out in law. The main function of the NDA is to provide advice and information to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth on matters concerning policy and practice in relation to persons with disabilities and to assist the Minister in the co-ordination of disability policy. In doing so, we have functions in relation to:
- Research
- Assisting the development of standards
- Producing Codes of Practice
- Monitoring implementation of standards and Codes of Practice
- Monitoring the employment of persons with disabilities in the public sector
- Recognising the achievement of good standards and quality
- Operating a Centre for Excellence in Universal Design, promoting the universal design of the built environment, products, services and information and communications technology, so that they can be accessed, understood and used by all persons regardless of their age, size, ability or disability
Relevant Legislation
The statutory powers and functions of the NDA are set out in the National Disability Authority Act 1999 as amended by the Disability Act 2005.
Authority Members
The NDA is governed by a Board that consists of 13 members - a Chairperson and 12 Ordinary members. Details on the Authority are set out in sections 20-24 of the National Disability Authority Act 1999, as amended by section 56 of the Disability Act 2005.
Governance and Management Arrangements
The NDA is committed to best practice structures, processes and systems that support the successful operation of duties in an ethical, accountable, transparent and effective manner. The NDA follows the Code of Practice for the Governance of State Bodies.
Strategic Plan
The NDA publishes a new Strategic Plan every three years.
Annual Report
The NDA presents its Annual Report and Financial Statement to the Minister for Children, Equality, Disability, Integration and Youth by 30 June each year.
Organisation Chart
The NDA comprises two elements, as it incorporates the statutory Centre for Excellence in Universal Design. Read more about our staff and Authority members.
Pay/Grading Structures
The NDA is staffed by public servants employed on a permanent basis. Occasionally, a need arises to hire temporary staff on a contract basis.
Recruitment is carried out directly by the National Disability Authority and advertised on this website, the Public Appointments Service and other forms of media.
The majority of staff are paid on the standard Civil Service pay scales. Some staff – Clerical Officer Grade III and Grade IV (Clerical) – are paid on the Department of Health’s consolidated salary scales
The current pay scales are available at:
https://www.gov.ie/en/circular...
https://www.hse.ie/eng/staff/b...
Access to Information on the Environment (AIE)
The European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2018, give legal rights to those seeking access to information on the environment from public authorities.
These Regulations came into effect on 1 May 2007, repealing the previous legislative instrument, the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 1998.
Subject to certain exceptions, information relating to the environment held by, or for, a public authority must be made available on request to any person. The Regulations provide a definition of environmental information and outline the manner in which requests for information may be submitted to public authorities. The Regulations also provide for a formal appeals procedure in the event that a person is unhappy with a decision on their request.
How do I make an AIE Request?
If you wish to submit a request under the European Communities (Access to Information on the Environment) Regulations 2007 to 2018 pertaining to the NDA, please submit a request to the National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, D04 E409.
Email: facilities@nda.ie
Essentials of a Valid Request
When making a request for information under the AIE Regulations 2007-2018, you are required to:
- state that the application is being made under the AIE Regulations 2007-2018
- provide your contact details
- state in terms that are as specific as possible, the environmental information required, and specify the form and manner of access desired
- in accordance with the Regulations, a public authority may decide to charge a reasonable fee for supplying environmental information (see fees below)
- normally you will be notified of the decision on your request within one month of receipt.
What can I do if I am unhappy with a decision on my request?
If you consider that your original request for environmental information was refused wholly or partially, or was otherwise not properly dealt with in accordance with the provisions of the AIE Regulations 2007-2018, you may, not later than one month following the receipt of the decision of the public authority concerned, request the public authority to carry out an internal review of the decision in part or in whole.
Fees
A request does not require payment of an upfront fee. However, a public authority may charge a reasonable fee to certain applications received, as provided for in the AIE Regulations 2007-2018.
Customer Charter
Read the National Disability Authority’s Customer Charter/Action Plan.
Location of the National Disability Authority
National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, D04 E409.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 608 0400
Fax: + 353 (0) 1 660 9935
Email: nda@nda.ie or info@ceud.ie
FOI Requests to the National Disability Authority
Under the FOI Act, any person is entitled to apply for access to information which is not otherwise publicly available. Requests should be made in writing and should specify that they are being made under the FOI Act. The form in which the records are sought e.g. photocopies/electronic means – should be stated in the request. To allow identification of the records sought, requesters should describe the records in as much detail as possible. If possible a contact number or email address, which can be used during office hours, should be provided for the purpose of clarifying the details of an FOI request. The staff of the Office will assist in the formulation of an FOI request, if necessary.
Please note that for the purposes of the FOI Act the National Disability Authority and Centre for Excellence in Universal Design are treated as one organisation.
Requests can be made by post or by e-mail. Contact details are:
FOI Officer, National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, D04 E409.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 608 0400
Fax: + 353 (0) 1 660 9935
Email: foi@nda.ie
The National Disability Authority will acknowledge a request under the FOI Act within five working days. The decision will issue within four weeks of the date on which the request is received.
Right to Internal Review of a Decision
The FOI Act provides for a right to internal review of decisions of public bodies. An internal review may be requested where an FOI request has been refused or partially granted or where access has been deferred or the form of access is disputed. Refusal of an FOI request is deemed to have occurred where a decision has not issued within four weeks of receipt of the FOI request. Requests for internal review of decisions of the National Disability Authority should be made, in writing, to:
FOI Officer, National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, D04 E409.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 608 0400
Fax: + 353 (0) 1 660 9935
Email: foi@nda.ie
The FOI Officer will ensure that the review is carried out by an official at a higher level than the official who made the original FOI decision. Such a request should be made within four weeks of the original decision. The decision following internal review should issue within three weeks of its receipt.
Right of Further Appeal
If dissatisfied with the outcome of the internal review you may appeal to the:
Office of the Information Commissioner, 18 Lower Leeson Street, Dublin 2, D02 HE97
Phone: +353 (1) 639 5689
Fax: (01) 6395676
Email: foi@oic.ie
Fees for Freedom of Information requests
Fees are charged for certain types of applications under the FOI Act. Fees are also charged, in certain cases, for search and retrieval.
Media Enquiries
Requests can be made by post or by e-mail. Contact details are:
Communications Officer, National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, D04 E409.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 608 0400
Fax: + 353 (0) 1 660 9935
Email: nda@nda.ie
Accessible Public Services
Under section 38 of the Disability Act 2005 a complaint may be made against a public body if they do not comply with the provisions of sections 25, 26, 27 and 28 of the Disability Act 2005.
Read the National Disability Authority Complaints Protocol.
Requests can be made by post or by e-mail. Contact details are:
Access Officer, National Disability Authority, 25 Clyde Road, Dublin 4, D04 E409.
Tel: + 353 (0) 1 608 0400
Fax: + 353 (0) 1 660 9935
Email: accessofficer@nda.ie
The NDA operates a research and reference Library service that is open to members of the public by appointment.
How the NDA develops policy proposals is covered in our Strategic Plan.
The NDA’s Financial Statement is published each year as part of its Annual Report.
This contains information regarding the remuneration of Board members.
The NDA is funded by votes from the exchequer allocated under Vote 40, the Department of Children, Equality, Disability Integration and Youth.
The NDA prepares Annual Accounts which are audited by the Comptroller and Auditor General. These can be viewed in the Annual Report.
The NDA uses the central frameworks and contracts put in place by the Office of Government Procurement where possible. For services not currently covered by these arrangements the NDA complies with national and EU procurement obligations.
The NDA has produced guidelines on accessible procurement, and also produced an IT Procurement Toolkit.
The FOI Act is intended to allow access to information held by public bodies which is not routinely available by other means (subject to certain exemptions, procedures and time limits). The following information about the activities and functions of the NDA is available without the need to use the FOI Act.
- Annual Reports
- Strategic Plans
- Research Publications
- Policy and Public Affairs Publications
- Corporate Services Publications
- Universal Design Publications
All are available on the National Disability Authority website under Publications and / or on the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design website.