To ask the Minister for Communities what his Department is doing to improve disability access to Northern Ireland's State Care Monuments.

The Department’s Historic Environment Division (HED) is actively engaged with a range of activities to improve access to our State Care Monuments. This includes assessments of physical interventions as well as the provision of printed and digital information to assist our visitors.

Recently HED has partnered with Sign Language Branch to deliver signed tours for Dunluce Castle, Carrickfergus Castle and Grey Abbey. In 2023 Carrickfergus Castle received an Autism NI Impact Award as a result of a number of changes at the site, including the installation of a sensory room. HED are also working with the Royal National Institute of Blind People (RNIB) to deliver large print and braille guide cards with tactile images at Dunluce Castle and Carrickfergus Castle.

HED’s capital construction proposals consider accessibility; evidence of this can be seen in the recent development of Ballycopeland Windmill where the visitor centre includes a changing places toilet facility.

HED are currently developing their plans for 2024/25 and hope to continue to improve the accessibility at State Care Monuments where possible. This will include the provision of improved services as well as staff training and continued engagement with relevant organisations.