Dimension: 1.5.4 Facilities

This dimension concerns the facilities available to MPs and staff. These facilities can include office space, furniture, ICT infrastructure and other equipment available on the parliamentary premises and/or in constituencies. In some cases, they can also include housing, transportation and parking facilities, as well as catering, cleaning services and other household services. Protection services may also be provided. Increasingly, parliaments provide childcare facilities for MPs and staff with family responsibilities.

The facilities available to the media and members of the public, including people living with disabilities, are covered in a separate indicator (see Indicator 3.3: Access to parliament).

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Aspiring goal

Based on a global comparative analysis, an aspiring goal for parliaments in the area of “facilities” is as follows:

  • Parliamentary facilities are under the control of parliament. They are fit for purpose in terms of the needs of parliament, and are appropriately maintained and improved.
  • Office space and other facilities are allocated to MPs, political groups and staff in accordance with transparent rules and in an equitable manner, regardless of political affiliation.
  • Parliament ensures equal access to parliamentary facilities for MPs and staff living with disabilities.
     

Assess your parliament against this dimension

Assessment criteria

No 1: Fitness for purpose

Parliamentary facilities are fit for purpose in terms of the needs of parliament, and are appropriately maintained and improved as required.

No 2: Equitable access

Office space and other facilities are allocated to MPs, political groups and staff in accordance with transparent rules and in an equitable manner, regardless of political affiliation. 

No 3: Access for all members of the community

Parliamentary facilities are accessible to all MPs and staff, including people living with disabilities. 

How to complete this assessment

This dimension is assessed against several criteria, each of which should be evaluated separately. For each criterion, select one of the six descriptive grades (Non-existent, Rudimentary, Basic, Good, Very good and Excellent) that best reflects the situation in your parliament, and provide details of the evidence on which this assessment is based. 

The evidence for assessment of this dimension could include the following:

  • Feedback on the suitability of facilities, including any assessments of their fitness for purpose
  • Resources available to the parliamentary administration to support and develop its facilities
  • Guidelines outlining a clear formula for access to facilities
  • Reports on actual access to, and allocation of, facilities

Where relevant, provide additional comments or examples that support the assessment.

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Get help with this assessment

The assessment of indicators involves diagnosing and considering strengths and weaknesses, i.e. the things parliament is doing well, and the things it could do better or more effectively, taking into account established good practices that are described in the indicators. 

Read the assessment guidance to find out what to consider when conducting an assessment against the Indicators. Find out how to prepare, how to set the objectives of the assessment, how to organize the process, and more. Contact the project partners for expert advice.

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