Poor access to disability officers in local authorities

At least one large local authority is not adhering to the law by providing an access or disability officer, amid calls for greater clarity on the use of the role for people struggling with housing and other issues.

Figures released under the Freedom of Information Act show that Fingal County Council, one of the largest in the country, does not have a disability officer, but said this had not prompted any complaints.

According to Eithne Fitzgerald, head of policy at the National Disability Authority, having an access officer is a legal requirement for public bodies under the Disability Act 2005.