The verdict in three sentences
For a director of services at a local council around Dublin, the accessibility statement is no longer a formality: it rests on an EN 301 549 audit, which maps to WCAG 2.1 AA (50 success criteria), run on a representative sample of at least 20 pages. The 2026 budget sits between 4,000 and 10,000 EUR for the audit and 12,000 to 45,000 EUR for remediation, depending on the age of the site and its online services. The National Disability Authority monitors public sector websites and publishes its findings, so a missing or outdated statement becomes a public, reputational problem.
The cost of audit and remediation
Audit pricing depends on the size of the page sample, complex forms (planning applications, motor tax, housing applications, payments) and downloadable PDF documents. Ranges as a 2026 order of magnitude:
| Service | 2026 range (EUR excl. VAT) | Timeline |
|---|---|---|
| EN 301 549 / WCAG 2.1 AA audit, 20 pages | 4,000 to 10,000 | 2 to 4 weeks |
| Online services audit (3 to 5 journeys) | 2,500 to 6,000 | 1 to 2 weeks |
| Audit of 20 PDF documents | 1,200 to 3,000 | 1 week |
| Template and component remediation | 12,000 to 28,000 | 2 to 4 months |
| Full accessible-by-design rebuild | 28,000 to 45,000 and up | 4 to 6 months |
| Training for content editors (1 day) | 1,500 to 3,000 | 1 day |
| Re-test after fixes | 2,000 to 4,000 | 1 to 2 weeks |
Remediation mostly targets the shared template: keyboard navigation, contrast, heading structure, image alternatives, form labels. Once the template is fixed, a large share of issues disappears across every page at once.
What must be published in 2026
The Irish regulations transposing the directive (S.I. No. 358 of 2020) require several public items. Each has expected content that the NDA and any user can check.
| Obligation | Expected content | Frequency |
|---|---|---|
| Accessibility statement | compliance status, non-accessible content, contact | reviewed at least annually |
| Statement link | visible on every page, usually in the footer | permanent |
| Accessibility roadmap | multi-year strategy, resources, training | every 3 years (good practice) |
| Annual action plan | planned fixes and schedule | every year |
| Feedback mechanism | form or address to report an issue | permanent |
| Enforcement route | link to the Ombudsman | permanent |
The statement declares the site fully compliant, partially compliant or not compliant. Many councils land between 40 and 70% of criteria met at the first audit.
What the director of services must decide
Online services run by third-party vendors (booking, payments, applications portals) are often the least accessible. The vendor contract must require an EN 301 549 commitment and the vendor's own accessibility conformance report. Also require that every new website or software tender weights accessibility at 10% or more of the score.
Mini case study
Need a professional website?
Kolonell builds websites that attract clients, optimized for the Sénégalese market. Free quote in 2 minutes.
Aoife Byrne, director of services at a council serving 45,000 residents near Dublin, commissions an audit of 20 pages and 4 journeys for 9,000 EUR, then template remediation for 21,000 EUR and training for 12 staff at 2,500 EUR. Total: 32,500 EUR. The share of criteria met rises from 46% to 82%, allowing a credible partially compliant statement and an action plan. Compared with a full rebuild at 45,000 EUR or more, the targeted approach saves at least 12,500 EUR while fixing the issues users hit most.
FAQ
Is a free automated scan enough?
No, automated tools only catch about 20 to 30% of issues. WCAG 2.1 AA requires manual testing, keyboard-only and with a screen reader.
How many pages should be audited?
A representative sample of at least 20 pages, including the home page, sitemap, legal notices, forms and key services. A sample that is too small weakens the statement.
Are PDFs in scope?
Yes, documents published after 23 September 2018 must be accessible. For older PDFs, an HTML version or retro-tagging at 60 to 180 EUR per document is often the cheapest route.
Who monitors compliance?
The National Disability Authority monitors public sector bodies and reports to the European Commission. Users can also complain to the Ombudsman after an unanswered accessibility request.
Should the audit be repeated every year?
A new audit is advised after any major site change, and the statement must be reviewed at least once a year.
Let's scope your project. Send us your site, your online services and the number of PDFs published: we will price the audit, remediation and accessibility statement. Detailed quote within 48 h. WhatsApp +221 77 596 93 33.
Mohamed Bah
Fondateur, Kolonell
Passionate about digital and entrepreneurship in Africa, Mohamed has been helping Sénégalese businesses with their digital transformation since 2020. Founder of Kolonell, he believes every SME deserves a professional and accessible online présence.
