Holly Cairns (Cork South West, Social Democrats)
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456. To ask the Minister for Housing, Planning, and Local Government the steps he is taking to ensure that all policies concerning National Parks and Nature Reserves consider the needs of individuals with disabilities. [13240/23]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal, Fianna Fail)
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My Department aims to ensure that the needs of all of its customers, including people with disabilities, are met and that rights to equal treatment are upheld in service delivery. The Disability Act 2005 provides a statutory basis for accessible public services. Sections 25, 26, 27, 28 and 29 of the Act place obligations on public bodies to make their public buildings, services and information accessible to people with disabilities.

In order to ensure that my Department meets the needs of individuals with disabilities, as set down in the Act, a cross divisional Working Group was established within my Department. This Working Group developed a Universal Design and Accessibility Action Plan 2020-2023, which sets out commitments to ensure that our buildings and services are accessible and in line with the requirements of the Act. My Department continues to work to ensure that its services, physical sites, publications and websites are compliant with the relevant legislation and guidelines on the rights and needs of individuals with disabilities.