City and county councils were awarded funding of €15 million today to improve services and access for the disabled around the country.
The Minister for the Environment, Dick Roche said local authorities had a key role to play in meeting the Government's commitments to improving life for those with disabilities.
"I am delighted to be able to announce this year's funding of €15 million to local authorities under the National Disability Strategy," he said.
The extra funding has been introduced to kickstart a multi-annual programme of initiatives by city and county councils.
The money will be used for the provision of disability awareness training and preparing accessibility audits to ensure services are up to scratch.
Information systems and equipment will also be adapted for people with special needs while councils will be able to improve accessibility to public buildings, roads and pavements, parks, amenities and heritage sites.
County councils in Donegal, Cork, and Galway each received €1m in funding while Limerick received €900,000 and Dun Laoghaire/Rathdown €950,000. The remaining funds were spread between county councils and the five main city councils Cork, Galway, Dublin, Limerick and Waterford.
The fund also includes €25,000 to An Chomhairle Leabharlanna to expand initiatives to improve access for the disabled to local libraries.