I propose to take Questions Nos. 1141 and 1142 together.
My Department and the agencies under the remit of my Department are committed to meeting requirements under EU Directive 2016/2102 (the “Directive”), as articulated in S.I. No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020.
My officials, both in my Department and across agencies under its remit, work hard to ensure that accessibility is included in the design and build of our websites and systems by default. Further information about how my Department and agencies are working to meet the requirements set out under the Directive are provided in the following sections for consideration by the Deputy.
Department of Justice
- Officials in the Information Management and Technology (IM&T) function of my Department perform evaluations against the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines standard during the code and build process of websites and systems within my remit.
- My Department's website, currently at www.justice.ie, will move to www.gov.ie in the coming weeks. Further compliance checks will be included as part of this process.
- My officials in IM&T are also currently preparing to migrate a number of legacy websites to more modern website platforms, and a key part of this process will be to ensure compliance the directive as articulated in SI No. 358/2020.
- Finally, the Deputy may wish to note that officials in the IM&T function also manage the websites of a number of offices and agencies under the remit of my Department, including the International Protection Appeals Tribunal, Criminal Assets Bureau, Garda Síochána Inspectorate, Legal Service Regulatory Authority, Property Services Regulatory Authority, Irish Film Classification Office, Private Security Authority, Office of the State Pathologist, Probation and Insolvency Service Ireland.
An Garda Síochána
- An Garda Síochána is committed to achieving compliance with the Directive and with the harmonised European standard, EN 301 549 (Accessibility requirements for ICT products and services) which replicates the more commonly known Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG 2.1).
- Accordingly, I am informed that An Garda Síochána has made a number of amendments to its website to ensure compliance, including:
- Updating the Accessibility Statement to reflect its level of compliance and to provide information on how to provide feedback on the website;
- Inclusion of an accessibility assistive toolbar solution (Recite Me) on the website, which allows website users to customise their experience on the site to suit their needs. Recite Me provides a variety of features to enable accessibility including text to speech functionality, customisable display and styling features, reading aids and a translation tool with over 100 languages, including 35 text to speech voices. Furthermore it provides users with greater accessibility via a PDF Reader solution which falls in with the requirements of the EU Directive mentioned above.
- The Garda website has also been updated to comply with the use of cookies in line with the GDPR requirements.
- The Cookie Policy page has been updated with more information on how it uses cookies. A combination of temporary and permanent cookies is used to collect standard internet log information and details of user patterns.
Courts Service
- As the Deputy may be aware, the Courts Service website was redesigned and a new website launched in Summer 2020. The new Courts Service website has been designed based on user needs, including extensive end user engagement, and in line with the principles of universal design.
- During the website redesign process, the Courts Service worked closely with the website vendor to ensure that the obligations in regards to making the website perceivable, operable, understandable and robust under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020, were met.
- Acknowledging that service accessibility is an ongoing process, the Courts Service continues to make changes to its website to improve accessibility and is committed to continuing these efforts.
- The current Courts Service website sets out its commitment to accessibility and includes a statement on accessibility of its services including the website.
- This statement sets out its recognition of the importance of ensuring that the site is accessible to everyone and its commitment to achieving a minimum of conformance level Double-A with the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) Web Content Accessibility Guidelines and complying with the National Disability Authority IT Accessibility Guidelines.
- Finally, I understand that a specified statement of compliance as set out in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020, will be included on the website in the near future.
Data Protection Commission
- I am informed that the Data Protection Commission (DPC) continually reviews service delivery to ensure that it is accessible to all stakeholders.
- Prior to any changes to the DPC website, full consideration is given to the impact any such changes will have on the existing accessibility of the website, access to services via the web forms and/or information provided by the Commission.
- The DPC website is operable on PCs and through mobile. Where possible, DPC publications are made available in plain English and are presented in an easily readable format to ensure that information presented is understandable to readers. The website is clearly labelled and has an effective search function.
- I am informed that assistive tech such as screen readers are compatible with the current DPC website and should remain compatible and accessible in the foreseeable future.
- The website also directs users to the DPC Access Officer, who is in place to provide assistance as required to those seeking to avail of the services provided.
- I understand that the DPC is aware of the new SI, and the DPC Access Officer is currently reviewing the website for compliance. Once the review has been completed, the relevant statement will be published on its website.
Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission:
- The Garda Síochána Ombudsman Commission (GSOC) is committed to making its website accessible in accordance with the POUR principles outlined in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020, and is working towards compliance with these Principles.
- GSOC remains committed to an enhancement of its electronic and online systems to ensure that its services are accessible and easy to use for anyone wishing to make a complaint or engage with GSOC.
- GSOC is currently upgrading the content on its website and its accessibility statement to better align with the POUR principles.
- Currently, GSOC can provide material in an accessible format when requested and has an appointed an Access Officer to manage requests and assist customers in accessing services. Wherever possible, GSOC aims to produce its written documentation in Plain English and easy to read formats. It also provides facilities for customers to interact in the language of their choice, including Irish Sign Language, and provides interpreters where necessary.
- GSOC can provide translation, interpreting or other services required to help effective communication about the complaints process, and to enable GSOC to fully engage with its complainants at all stages throughout the complaints process.
Insolvency Service of Ireland
- As the Deputy may be aware, the Insolvency Service of Ireland operates two websites.
- The main www.isi.gov.ie site was developed and is maintained by my Department’s IM&T Division.
- The ISI’s Backontrack.ie website is a debtor facing website used as part of the information campaigns run by the Insolvency Service. The Insolvency Service has begun a process to revamp this website in order to make it more accessible and user-friendly and will be working with its service provider to ensure that appropriate accessibility features and tools are incorporated as part of that project. Once the website is fully compliant an accessibility statement will be published.
Irish Prison Service
- As the Deputy may be aware, the Irish Prison Service interacts with the public using its custom built website www.irishprisons.ie.
- The Service interacts with the public through the use of its website for informational purposes and for arranging interaction between prisoners with their families and legal counsel through visits and video conference services.
- The Irish Prison Service website has been designed in such way that it is compatible and tested with multiple operating systems and internet browsers for use on laptops, tablets, smart devices and mobiles. The website is updated by Irish Prison Service staff, using editing software to publish updated content immediately as required.
- The language used on its site is direct and easy to understand and its visits portal gives simple and direct instructions. Where required it provides instructional video for visits and more recently video link visits, as a result of the pandemic.
- I understand that a number of features of the Irish Prison Service website have been implemented through accessibility protocols in line with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) which include, font size legibility options, screen reader text availability, image and video descriptions, keyboard navigations shortcuts and tab navigation for the main sections of the website.
Judicial Council
- I understand that the Judicial Council is in the process of developing its website. I am informed that the Judicial Council website does however meet the requirements of perceivable, operable, understandable and robust under the directive 2016/2102 (EU), as articulated in SI No. 358/2020 - European Union (Accessibility of Websites and Mobile Applications of Public Sector Bodies) Regulations 2020.
- In meeting the governance provision, the Council will in due course prepare an accessibility statement for publication on its website.
- In relation to the mobile applications provision in Paragraph 3 (1) (c) of the S.I., I am informed that the Council does not have a mobile application.
Legal Aid Board
- I am informed that the Legal Aid Board's website currently has Level AA conformance to the Web Content Accessibility Guidelines (WCAG) 2.0.
- I am further informed by my officials that, in re-developing its Online Legal Aid Application system in 2020, the Legal Aid Board followed the EU Directive on the Accessibility of Public Sector Websites and Mobile Applications.
Policing Authority
- The Policing Authority is committed to achieving a conformance level of Triple-A on its website in line with Web Content Accessibility Guidelines developed by the Web Accessibility Initiative (WAI) and complying with the Irish National IT Accessibility Guidelines and EU Directive 2016/2102.
- The Policing Authority undertook a full website redesign in 2018 which included a review of content and accessibility in line with public sector obligations and European directives.
- The new website which was launched in 2019 is accessible, perceivable, operable, understandable and robust, and is accessible to the WCAG 2.0 AA standard by default and complies with W3C standards of best practice. The website has been reviewed since the launch, and consideration is given to accessibility when considering new content and design features.
- An accessibility statement on the compliance of the website has been published and is due for review in 2021.
