Vol. 504 No. 2
114 Mr. Naughten asked the Minister for the Marine and Natural Resources the number of offices or institutions under his Department which are open to the public; the number of these accessible to people with disabilities; the plans, if any, there are to ensure all buildings are accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11744/99]
The main public offices operated by my Department are located as follows: Leeson Lane, Dublin 2; Beggars Bush, Dublin 4; Michael Davitt House, Castlebar, County Mayo; Johns town Castle, County Wexford, Forest Service; 26-27 Eden Quay, Dublin 1; Government Buildings, O'Sullivans Quay, Cork.
These offices, with the exception of the Eden Quay premises, are fully accessible to all members of the public. The premises at Eden Quay houses the Department's Marine Survey Office and the Mercantile Marine Office. As the Marine Survey Office is based in the upper floors of this building and there is no lift facility, access for people with disabilities is difficult. Arrangements are currently being made to re-locate the offices to my Department's Head Office in Leeson Lane, Dublin 2, which will remove the difficulties currently being encountered.
In addition to its main office at Johnstown Castle, County Wexford, the Forest Service operates some 14 local offices where its forestry inspectors are based. These offices are accessible to people with disabilities. My Department also manages and runs five fishery harbour centres at Howth, Dunmore East, Castletownbere, Rossaveal and Killybegs. Harbour users may have occasion to visit the harbour master's office at these fishing ports. However, given the nature of the harbour master's job, such offices are usually located at the upper level of the harbour buildings so as to afford a clear view of harbour operations. This does result in an access difficulty for people with disabilities. However, in such circumstances, the relevant harbour master will arrange to meet in a more suitable location.
In regard to the bodies operating under the aegis of my Department, a number of these operate public offices. The question of access is set out below: An Bord Iascaigh Mhara, Crofton Road, Dún Laoghaire, County Dublin, access for people with disabilities provided; Harbour Authorities-Port Companies, there are 16 Harbour Authorities and nine Port Companies: facilities used by the public at these ports – e.g. passenger facilities, are accessible. However, in certain instances, the office facilities are only accessible with assistance. All new facilities are constructed in a manner to provide full access to all members of the public; Marine Institute, 80 Harcourt Street, Dublin 2: accessible by people with disabilities; Coillte Teoranta, Leeson Lane, Dublin 2 access facilities provided; central and regional fisheries boards: the offices of the Central Fisheries Board in Glasnevin, Dublin 9, is, apart from a small step at the main entrance, generally accessible to all members of the public. The offices of the seven regional boards are in the main accessible. However, the Shannon and North Western Regional Fisheries Boards do not have access facilities. The boards are very conscious of the needs of people in the community with a disability and indeed provide various programmes and facilities to anglers with a disability.
