asked the Minister for Education if the new vocational school in Ringsend, Dublin, will be fully accessible to wheelchair pupils and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - School Wheelchair Facilities.
175.
I have been informed by the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee that with the reservation mentioned in the following paragraph the needs of the physically handicapped will be satisfactorily provided for in the matter of all usual requirements including entrance ramps, entrance door, corridor widths, handrails on stairs and w.c. provision.
The committee reported that there is difficulty in providing for the wheelchair-bound disabled access to the dining-assembly area as there was no space in the design for the erection of a ramp to this area which was below the other ground floor rooms. Access to the upper floors containing the library and general classrooms is not possible as no provision was made for a lift.
Officers of the committee have informed my Department that they would endeavour to ensure that such organisational arrangements as necessary would be implemented in the matter of providing full access for handicapped pupils.