Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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139. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing Action 16 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38484/21]

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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140. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the way his Department and public bodies and agencies under his remit are implementing Action 32 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 (details supplied). [38512/21]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 139 and 140 together.

My Department has significantly increased activities in recent years to comply with the range of disability statutes, conventions and codes of practice. My Department has appointed an Access Team, with terms of reference and official policy to deliver a targeted Action Plan over 3 years. The objective is to greatly enhance access to my Department, and its services, for those with disabilities.

Regarding the promotion of accessibility and universal design in the implementation of the Public Service ICT Strategy, my Department established a group earlier in 2021 to specifically examine this Priority. That group made a number of recommendations including - the development of guidelines to ensure all in-house IT development caters for those with disabilities; the procurement of a vendor to evaluate all Department websites and applications; ensuring Access features in the ICT Digital Strategy, currently being drafted; and reviewing existing ICT policies to ensure that Access is appropriately addressed.

Finally, under Action 16, my Department has appointed 3 Access Officers to cover the different aspects of access - including buildings, ICT and published information. Contact details are listed on our website.

Regarding engagement through consultative committees and other appropriate fora, I have procedures in place to ensure that people with disabilities are consulted regularly. These include people within my organisation and outside of it. My Department has established a Disability Consultative Committee which includes membership from disability organisations and the National Disability Authority as well as Departmental officials and local authorities. The Committee, which is chaired by my Department, meets regularly to discuss progress with implementation of the Actions in the National Disability Inclusion Strategy. A wide range of issues are addressed by the Committee including franchise, housing, accessibility of the built environment, procurement and universal design. The Committee will continue to act as a consultative mechanism to facilitate a streamlined process of engagement between my officials and the disability sector in relation to all relevant Actions under the National Disability Inclusion Strategy.

For those within my Department, a Disability Liaison Officer (DLO) has been appointed who provides additional support to staff with disabilities on an ongoing basis, providing reasonable accommodations as appropriate. The DLO regularly promotes awareness on disability and supports available through the DLO by email communications, our Staff Intranet and directly with staff, as needed.

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.