Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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609. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting the requirement to have a statement on the compliance of their websites and mobile applications with the regulations under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31286/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department is actively in the process of adjusting websites to meet the needs of its users. Websites will be scanned and/or checked to meet the principles set out in the Website Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) Version 2.1 at AA level. This is an ongoing process as content changes. Along with scanning and implementation of WCAG guidelines, each site shall also be accompanied with an “Accessibility Statement”.

Compliance will be incorporated as part of all procurement undertaken in respect of Website and Application support and development.

My Department does not maintain the requested information in respect of the State bodies under its aegis. These State bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas as set out in the attached table.

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Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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610. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way in which his Department and agencies under his remit are meeting the requirement to subject to Regulation 6, public sector bodies shall, in accordance with Regulation 3, take necessary measures to make their websites and mobile applications more accessible by making them perceivable, operable, understandable and robust under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31304/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department has a large number of websites, many of which are going through upgrading and redesign. This process is part of a wider approach to website management within my Department.

My Department is developing an accessibility strategy and key elements are already in progress. As new websites and applications come online, a greater emphasis is being put into design that enables the user to access a range of technologies and assistive services.

Other work is being undertaken to ensure older websites become more compliant, through redesign or removal if no longer relevant.

Accessibility has been and it will continue to be incorporated as part of all procurement undertaken in respect of Website and application support and development.

My Department does not hold the requested information in respect of bodies under its aegis. These bodies may be contacted directly by e-mail by members of the Oireachtas at the email addresses set out in the table attached.

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