Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 17 December 2025
352. Deputy Johnny Guirke asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if any funding streams are available to upgrade accessibility access into private businesses; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [72823/25]
View answerGovernment is committed to ensuring that disabled people have access to services and supports on an equal footing to all other citizens. Under the National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, there will be more coordinated action on accessibility across government, with greater awareness of good practice in Universal Design, and the built environment, and good practice in how we provide information to the public, including through information and communications technologies, and in the design and delivery of services. The Strategy commits to strengthening capacity on accessibility across Government.
There will be key deliverables, including regular monitoring of the accessibility of civil and public services in line with current statutory accessibility obligations, as provided for under the Disability Act 2005, the EU Web Accessibility Directive 2016/2102, and the implementation of the Irish Sign Language Act 2017.
Supports for private enterprise in ensuring the accessibility of their services for customers are appropriate to the remit of the Department of Enterprise, Tourism and Employment. Funding to support private enterprises to ensure accessibility for employees is the responsibility of the Department of Social Protection, through the Work and Access Scheme.
