2846. Deputy Pádraig O'Sullivan asked the Minister for Children, Disability and Equality the measures being taken under the current National Disability Strategy to improve the physical accessibility of public places and institutions for wheelchair users; whether additional targets or funding for accessibility are planned; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [56407/26]

I thank the Deputy for his question. Government is committed to improving the accessibility of public infrastructure and the built environment for disabled people, including wheelchair users and people with physical impairments.

This involves effective collaboration across several Government Departments, public agencies and local authorities, going well beyond the remit of any single Department or Government Minister.

The National Human Rights Strategy for Disabled People 2025-2030, launched in September 2025, sets out a whole-of-government approach to advancing the rights of disabled people across several policy areas, including accessibility rights.

One of the key pillars of the Strategy – Independent Living and Active Participation in Society - contains a range of commitments and priority actions that the Department of Children, Disability and Equality is leading on, including the creation of more accessible services and environments, such as cultural and sporting events, as well as actions that will increase the full participation of disabled people across social, cultural and political life.

Under Pillar Three, local authorities have committed to improving their services and creating accessible environments where disabled people can live independently and participate fully in all aspects of community life. A significant priority action that Local Authorities have committed to is the development of a plan to conduct walkability audits of towns and cities with a population greater than 5,000. This action will provide information about accessible route maps and also lay the groundwork for progressively addressing inaccessible road crossings and footpaths across towns and cities.

Under the Disability Act 2005, measures to be taken to facilitate access by disabled people to services provided by local authorities, including issues pertaining to funding for such measures, are principally a matter for local authorities and under the broader remit of the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage.

Under the Strategy, expanding accessible transport options for disabled people is also a core commitment and is essential for furthering the accessibility of public spaces. The Department of Transport is leading on the delivery of Pillar Five – Transport and Mobility - which commits to increased funding for the Public Transport Accessibility Retrofit Programme, in line with the National Development Plan and the expansion of public transport options nationwide.

Acknowledging the need to improve accessibility across all our public services, one of the most important capacity strengthening initiatives identified by the Strategy is the delivery of more coordinated action on accessibility across government, with greater awareness of good practice and Universal Design.

Taken collectively, these commitments and priority actions promise to deliver improved and enhanced accessibility of public infrastructure and the built environment, including public facilities and services. Working with colleagues across government, I look forward to driving the delivery of these changes.