483. Deputy Ruth Coppinger asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality if she will support the standardising and publishing of accessibility information on step-free access and toilet availability for public venues to allow people plan access in advance; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [40895/26]

As Minister with responsibility for Disability, I am committed to enhancing the accessibility of public facilities and spaces as well as promoting best practice in universal design so that people with disabilities can avail of services and goods on an equal basis with others.

The Irish Centre for Excellence in Universal Design (CEUD), part of the National Disability Authority (NDA), is funded by this Department, and is dedicated to enabling the design of the built and digital environments including services and systems to be accessed, understood and used regardless of a person's age, size, ability or disability.

The Centre for Excellence in Universal Design develop guidelines based on international best practice and contribute to National and European standards as well as highlighting good practice in relation to Universal Design.

CEUD has done considerable work in promoting the concept of universal design as a means of enhancing the accessibility of a range of built environments, spaces, facilities, products and services.

They have published "Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach" which provides comprehensive best practice guidance on how to design, build and manage all types of buildings and spaces so that they can be readily accessed and used by everyone. Of particular relevance to the issue of accessible toilet facilities, the Centre has a range of guidance material available on its website to support members of the public and businesses. The research and guidance are available to download for free.

The Disability Act 2005 places obligations on public sector bodies to ensure that information and services are accessible to all members of the public, as far as is practicable. This includes the parts of physical premises open to the public as part of service delivery. No legislative requirement exists in respect of private property or private businesses.

The Department is undertaking a review of the Disability Act 2005 in consultation with stakeholders as committed to in the Programme for Government. The review will include a call for written submissions and a research component to explore areas of international good practice. The outputs from the consultation process and research will be key to informing initial legislative proposals for any further reforms to the Act.

Where the accessibility of a physical premises may be integral for the delivery of a service, then the Equal Status Acts (2002-2018), subject to relevant exemptions and the particulars of the situation, may apply. The Equal Status Acts prohibit discrimination in the provision of goods and services on nine grounds, including disability. Under the Acts, discrimination “includes a refusal or failure by the provider of a service to do all that is reasonable to accommodate the needs of a person with a disability by providing special treatment or facilities, if without such special treatment or facilities it would be impossible or unduly difficult for the person to avail himself or herself of the service.”

In November 2024, Government approved the publication of the General Scheme of the Equality (Miscellaneous Provisions) Bill, which includes a number of legislative provisions arising from a review of Ireland’s equality legislation. The General Scheme proposes to strengthen existing provisions on discrimination and reasonable accommodation in order to advance the implementation of the UN Convention on the Rights of Persons with Disabilities.