To ask the Assembly Commission for an update on allowances to improve disability access to constituency offices.

Mr McGrath

I thank the Member for his question. As Members will be aware, the Assembly Commission published the Assembly Members (Office and Staffing Costs and Allowances) Determination (Northern Ireland) 2025, which is referred to as the "2025 determination", on 7 February this year. The 2025 determination sought to extend the provisions that already existed. Members may continue to recover costs that are wholly and necessarily attributable to a disability that a Member has. Members may also continue to recover the costs incurred in making reasonable adjustments to the constituency office for persons with a disability, where those costs are not covered under the terms of the lease. That may be for a disabled member of staff or to facilitate access for disabled members of the public. The nature of the disability is not defined. In the first instance, a Member should engage with their landlord to ensure that the terms of the lease are adhered to in that regard. Members are considered to be service providers for the purposes of the Disability Discrimination Act (DDA) 1995. That legislation makes it unlawful to discriminate against disabled persons in connection with the provision of goods, facilities and services. The provisions of the 2025 determination allow a Member to recover the costs that are incurred but are not covered by the lease to meet the statutory responsibilities arising from the DDA regarding reasonable adjustments. That ensures that persons with a disability are not placed at a particular disadvantage when they are either employed by a Member or visit the office. Guidance on all areas of financial support is available in the administrative guide that accompanies the 2025 determination or on the Finance Office’s page on the Members’ portal.

Mr McGrath

The Assembly Commission takes these matters seriously and engages with disability groups as part of its wider work, but issues relating to the provision of constituency services by Members are the responsibility of each individual Member, not the Assembly Commission. Properties leased as constituency offices should be fit for purpose. When considering leases, Members should consider the needs of disabled individuals proactively, where requirements should be contemplated in advance. Therefore, Members should ensure the suitability of a property in meeting the statutory obligations of disability access etc. That requirement has been built into the new 2025 determination for all new leases, going forward. Recognising that the nature of reasonable adjustments will vary from Member to Member and from office to office, the provisions of the 2025 determination for the recovery of reasonable adjustments and disability costs are not restrictively prescriptive.

Madam Principal Deputy Speaker

Question 15 was answered when it was grouped with questions 5 and 12, so that ends Question Time to the Assembly Commission. Members, please take your ease.

Mr McGuigan

On a point of order, Madam Principal Deputy Speaker. Yesterday, during Question Time to the Minister for Communities, I was not in my seat when I was called to ask my question. I record my apologies to the Assembly and the Speaker's Office for that.

Madam Principal Deputy Speaker

I think that I heard tuts from around the House

particularly, might I add, from those who have been guilty of doing that before. Your apologies are noted. Members, please take your ease.