Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2633. To ask the Minister for Health 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). [38545/21]

Stephen Donnelly (Wicklow, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Services provided by the Department of Health are built with accessibility and universal design principles in all areas where possible, ensuring compliance with relevant regulations.

The Department of Health's website is hosted on the gov.ie central platform managed by the Office of the Government Chief Information Office (OGCIO) under the Department of Public Expenditure and Reform. The identification and resolution of compliance issues with web accessibility guidelines on gov.ie is managed by the OGCIO. I have been informed that 'Gov.ie' partially complies with the double-A Web Content Accessibility Guidelines 2.1 standards and the 4 principles of accessibility (perceivable, operable, understandable and robust). I am also informed that the OGCIO continuously review and improve the website including for accessibility requirements, engaging with other content owners in appropriate circumstances.

The implementation of Action 16 of the National Disability and Inclusion Strategy 2017-2021 by public bodies under the aegis of the Department of Health is detailed within the Strategy as an area of responsibility for each individual public body and is therefore an operational matter for those bodies concerned.

Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

2634. To ask the Minister for Health 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). [38546/21]

Anne Rabbitte (Galway East, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

There is continuous engagement by my Department with disability representatives on policy matters. The Department of Health’s Disability Consultative Committee meets generally three to four times a year. The Health Service Executive holds regular meetings with disability representatives through its Disability Consultative Forum. These meetings are an opportunity to hear from disability representatives on their priorities for services.

These fora are an integral part of a wider consultative process with disability stakeholders which oversees and monitors the implementation of the National Disability Inclusion Strategy, including the Department of Health’s commitments under that strategy. Under my chairmanship, the National Disability Inclusion Strategy Steering Committee, comprising disability representatives from the Disability Stakeholder group and departmental officials meets around three times a year. The National Disability Inclusion Strategy in turn was developed following three separate phases of consultation with disability stakeholders.

The Government welcomes the widespread engagement of disability representative organisations in ongoing discussion of policy and resource matters through channels including those listed above, which ensure the voice of people with disabilities is heard in matters affecting them.