Malcolm Byrne
Ceist:202. Deputy Malcolm Byrne asked the Minister for Justice, Home Affairs and Migration how he ensures that all websites operated by his Department are accessible to the visually impaired. [4821/26]
Amharc ar fhreagraWednesday, 21 January 2026
Ceisteanna (202)
Freagraí scríofa
Over the past year, my Department’s Change, Technology and Information (CTI) team has carried out a structured programme to enhance the accessibility of our websites, with particular emphasis on supporting users with visual impairments. This work is underpinned by a commitment made in my Department's Customer Service Action Plan 2025 - 2028 to ensure that all of our websites comply with web content accessibility guidelines. The Plan is published here:
assets.gov.ie/static/documents/Department_of_Justice_Customer_Service_Action_Plan_2025-2028_-_Desktop_Version.pdf
This programme of work involves conducting accessibility audits using a combination of automated testing tools, manual assessments with assistive technologies such as screen readers, and input from external accessibility experts. Improvements made have included ensuring websites can be effectively used with screen-reading software, can be navigated using a keyboard, and can apply appropriate colour contrast and design changes to support users with colour-vision deficiencies.
Officials from my Department engage with the National Disability Authority (NDA) to ensure alignment with best-practice standards and has adopted WCAG 2.1 AA as its benchmark. Compliance progress is monitored through ongoing internal and external testing cycles. A significant amount of work has been already carried out by my Department with at least 10 of its public-facing websites now at an AA rating.
As set out in the Disability Act 2005, my Department has appointed an Access Officer. The role of the Access Officer includes responding to any issues raised regarding the accessibility of our websites. The Access Officer can be contacted by email accessofficer@justice.ie or by phone on 01 602 8202. Contact details for the Access Officer are also provided on the main landing page of the Department's website, as well as through the relevant accessibility statement on each page.