Written answers

Thursday, 4 March 2021

Department of Public Expenditure and Reform

EU Directives

Photo of Gerald NashGerald Nash (Louth, Labour)
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55. To ask the Minister for Public Expenditure and Reform if all bodies under his aegis are in compliance with the Web Accessibility Directive EU 2016/2102 with regard to websites from 23 September 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12351/21]

Photo of Michael McGrathMichael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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I wish to advise the Deputy that the websites of the National Shared Services Office and the Office of the Ombudsman are fully compliant with the Web Accessibility Directive EU 2016/2102. The table below lists the bodies under the aegis of my Department that are currently not yet fully compliant in this regard and the plans for full compliance during 2021.

Body / Agency Current Position
Office of Public Works The OPW operates in the region of 50 websites. Many relate to its heritage properties, flood relief schemes and information on flood plans. Compliance with current WCAG standards has been a standard contractual requirement for OPW websites for several years and tender documentation for all new websites requires conformance with EU Directive 2016/2102. An internal review to include an accessibility audit of all OPW websites is underway for the purpose of establishing compliance with current regulations and directives.
Public Appointments Service The Public Appointment Service undertook a web accessibility audit in 2020, working with an expert in this field to identify areas for potential improvement in accessibility across its website platforms. The remediation of all identified issues began immediately, with a significant improvements in terms of compliance with the web accessibility directive implemented throughout the year. Some issues are still in the process of being addressed, namely branding and legacy systems. These are scheduled to be addressed in 2021, through the wider organisational digital transformation goals.
Regulator of the National Lottery The website of the Office of the Regulator of the National Lottery is partially compliant in that it allows for increasing text for persons with visual impairment. The website was created in 2016 in a basic format. The upgrade of the website is planned for 2021, including bringing it up to the standard of the Directive.
State Laboratory Work is underway to review website accessibility and address any non-compliance.

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