Written answers

Tuesday, 26 April 2022

Department of Education and Skills

Schools Administration

Photo of Bríd SmithBríd Smith (Dublin South Central, People Before Profit Alliance)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

912. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills if school websites are defined as public sector websites; if so, if they should therefore have a web accessibility statement published on their websites; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [20447/22]

Photo of Norma FoleyNorma Foley (Kerry, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

Under S.I. No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020 (including W3C WCAG 2.1 Standards,, all public sector bodies in Ireland including schools are required to make their websites and mobile applications (apps) accessible and have a clear Accessibility Statement on their website. The National Disabilities Authority has responsibility for providing guidance and overseeing compliance on this regulation.

My Department will work with National Disability Authority as required to ensure appropriate guidance is in place for schools to assist them in the implementation of and compliance with this regulation.

Decisions regarding the deployment of and the use of digital technologies are a matter for the management of schools as they are best placed to determine this according to their own situation and requirements.

Under the provisions of the Education Act, 1998 the board of management of a school is responsible for the direct governance of a school.

Certain school policies that schools must have in place and published on the schools website include the schools Admission Policy, Child Safeguarding Statement,  Code of Behaviour, Anti-Bullying Policy, and Health and Safety Statement.

Comments

No comments

Log in or join to post a public comment.