737. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage in cases in which a building under his control is not wheelchair accessible, the reason for this; his plans to remedy this; and the timeline for measures to be completed. [65350/26]

741. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the wheelchair accessibility of all buildings under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65320/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 737 and 741 together.

In accordance with the Disability Act 2005, my Department is committed to ensuring that its services and buildings are accessible to people with disabilities. For buildings within the scope of the Act, the Department has engaged specialist accessibility consultants over a number of years to assess existing accessibility provisions and identify opportunities for improvement.

Consistent with its statutory obligations, my Department has appointed both an Access Officer and an Inquiry Officer and continues to work closely with the National Disability Authority in promoting and implementing accessibility measures and best practice guidance, where reasonably practicable.

My Department also undertakes regular accessibility audits and reviews of relevant sites to monitor compliance with the Disability Act 2005 and to support continuous improvement in accessibility standards. As part of this process, relevant office locations are periodically assessed, and recommended improvement works are progressed where appropriate and feasible. Current assessments have found the relevant office locations to be wheelchair accessible.

In addition, accessibility and universal design principles are considered as an integral part of the planning, development, refurbishment and upgrading of buildings under the my Department's remit. My Department seeks, wherever practicable, to ensure that facilities are accessible and inclusive for all users. Similarly, in the development or redevelopment of visitor-facing sites, every effort is made to enhance accessibility while balancing any constraints associated with the historic, architectural or protected status of certain buildings and sites.

Through these measures, my Department aims to meet its obligations under the Disability Act 2005 and to promote equitable access to its services and facilities.