Ivor Callely (Dublin North Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 24: To ask the Minister for Arts, Sport and Tourism if the national cultural institutions such as the National Gallery, the National Museum, the Museum of Modern Art, the National Concert Hall and so on are disabled friendly; the measures in place for people with varying levels of disabilities, hearing, vision and mobility impairment; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [5538/07]

John O'Donoghue (Kerry South, Fianna Fail)
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The implementation of Government policy in regard to the provision of universal access to their National Collections is a responsibility of the Boards of the National Cultural Institutions. The position in relation to universal access to the collections held by these Institutions is as follows.

Irish Museum of Modern Art: The Museum's Lecture Theatre has a Loop system installed for the hard of hearing.

Crawford Art Gallery, Cork: The Gallery provides guided tours for groups and individuals who have limited vision and hearing, Provision is also being made within the Gallery's 2007 budget for the provision of an acoustic-guide service.

Chester Beatty Library: The Library provides information leaflets in Braille and an audio-visual tour of the collection for the hard of hearing.

The National Archives of Ireland: The National Archives has established a website that exceeds the standard required for compliance with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG).

National Concert Hall: Public areas in the Concert Hall are specifically designed so that people with disabilities may orientate themselves and move around safely. The National Concert Hall's website complies with Web Accessibility Initiative standards.

The National Concert Hall's auditorium is equipped with a Loop system which provides sound enhancement for the hard of hearing.

National Gallery of Ireland: The Gallery provides wheelchairs and portable stools for members of the public with mobility impairments. The Gallery is also equipped with a Loop system. The Gallery provides, on request, tours for people with impaired sight and mobility impairments. Tactile picture sets and accompanying audio-guides are also available for people with sight impairments.

National Library of Ireland: The Library can provide a wheelchair on request for visitors to the Library's exhibition areas and a number of microfilm reading machines suitable for use by disabled readers.

National Museum of Ireland: Wheelchairs are available at both the Museum's Collins Barracks and Turlough Park, Castlebar sites. The Museum has audio visual facilities which may be of assistance to persons with a visual or hearing impairment.

The provision and maintenance of the building infrastructure of the National Cultural Institutions is the statutory responsibility of the Office of Public Works.