Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 24 March 2021
734. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the steps he is taking to ensure that the consultation for the National Housing Strategy for Persons with Disabilities 2022-2027 is accessible to persons with no Internet access, persons who have difficulties using technology and persons with visual impairments; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15927/21]
View answerThe consultation for the development of a new housing Strategy for people with disabilities was launched in a number of formats on the 6th of March 2021 so as to provide the maximum possible levels of accessibility. The Housing Agency website contains all versions of the survey, which are available until the 16th of April 2021. These can be accessed at www.housingagency.ie/NHSPD-Survey or by clicking on the banner advert on the homepage of the Housing Agency website.
The survey, in Easy Read, Plain English or Irish format, is available as an online questionnaire through Survey Monkey, as an editable word version (which when completed can be returned to the Housing Agency via email) or as a Printable PDF version (which when completed can be returned to the Housing Agency by post). The survey is compatible with all text-to-voice software and a short video is also available on the website which explains the purpose of the survey and runs through each question. There is also an option to call the Housing Agency and have a PDF version in the required format posted out to a home address.
In addition to the above, members of the Advisory Group for the development of the new Strategy and the Housing Subgroup, who are tasked with delivery of the existing Strategy, have been asked to raise awareness of the launch of the consultation and the various options available to access the survey, amongst their organisations and with their service users. These groups include representatives from organisations of disabled people, organisations for people with a disability, service providers, Approved Housing Bodies, local authorities, the HSE and various Government Departments and agencies including the National Disability Authority.
Similarly, Housing and Disability Steering Groups, across each local authority, have been asked to circulate the advertisement with the link or a printed version of the questionnaire to their members. I have asked the Housing Agency to ensure that those with significant accessibility issues are targeted through its communication with all stakeholder groups.
An additional national advertising campaign is planned for the next two weeks that will direct people to the dedicated landing page on the Housing Agency’s website. A contact number will also be provided to allow for a copy of the questionnaire to be posted out to anyone who would prefer to complete the questionnaire in hard copy.
