111. Deputy Shane Moynihan asked the Minister for Social Protection whether consideration is being given to increasing investment in digital inclusion measures, particularly for older persons, people with disabilities and those at risk of digital exclusion. [67531/26]

My Department is committed to reducing administrative and other barriers that may prevent people from accessing their social welfare entitlements.

A key element of this work is the continued development of the Department’s digital platform, MyWelfare, as it works towards the target of having 90% of applicable services available online by 2030.  MyWelfare provides secure and convenient access to a wide and expanding range of services and supports the Department’s digital-by-desire approach, enabling customers who wish to engage online to do so easily and efficiently.

My Department is committed to ensuring that digital services are accessible to all users, regardless of ability.  All digital services undergo accessibility testing and are designed in line with recognised Web Accessibility Guidelines developed by the World Wide Web Consortium (W3C).  MyWelfare incorporates inclusive design principles and accessibility features that support users with a range of needs, including visual, cognitive and physical impairments.  The Department continues to engage with customers and stakeholder organisations in the design and testing of services to ensure that they are customer-centred and responsive to users’ needs.

My Department also funds the Citizens Information Board (CIB), which is a statutory agency tasked with providing independent, impartial, confidential, and non-judgmental information, advice, money advice and advocacy.  Through its network of CIB centres, telephone services and online resources CIB plays an important role in supporting digital inclusion by helping people who have limited digital skills, accessibility needs or difficulties accessing online services.

The Department recognises that some customers, including older persons, people with disabilities and those at risk of digital exclusion, may face barriers in accessing digital services.  In line with the Government’s Digital for Good: Ireland’s Digital Inclusion Roadmap, the Department is committed to addressing such barriers while ensuring that digital transformation does not result in exclusion.

Key measures include:

• Maintaining a range of service channels, including face-to-face services through Intreo Centres and Branch Offices, telephone supports through our contact centres and paper-based application processes.

• Continuing to simplify online application processes through MyWelfare, reducing administrative burden and improving the customer experience.

• Providing clear guidance and support materials to help customers use online services safely and confidently.

• Engaging with representative organisations and customer groups to identify barriers to service access and inform future improvements.

The Roadmap for Social Inclusion 2026-2030 outlines the importance of digital inclusion for social inclusion and the need for investment in community-based training, affordable broadband, online safety education and accessible digital public services, especially for older adults, rural populations, disabled people, children and young people.

A specific action in the Roadmap is to ensure that no one is left behind in our digital society, in particular disadvantaged groups.  The Roadmap sets out measures that improve access to public services online, reduce complexity, and ensure services are seamless, integrated, inclusive and user-centred, through implementation of Digital Public Services Plan 2030 and Digital Ireland: Connecting our People, Securing our Future.

The Department will be engaging with Department of Public Expenditure and Reform and Department of An Taoiseach on progress in delivering this action, as part of the oversight in implementing the Roadmap.

The Department will continue to assess opportunities to enhance digital inclusion measures as part of its ongoing programme of service improvement.  This includes ensuring that services are secure, accessible and user-friendly, while maintaining non-digital access channels for those who need them.  In this regard, the Department fully supports the Government’s digital inclusion agenda, recognising that a digital-by-default approach must never mean digital-only services.

I hope this clarifies the position for the deputy.