Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 17 Jun 1980

Vol. 322 No. 5

Written Answers. - Accessibility of Educational Institutions to Handicapped.

384.

Mr. Horgan

asked the Minister for Education in relation to his reply to parliamentary questions 380 and 381 of 28 November 1979, if he will outline (i) the needs of physically handicapped students or teachers which were considered before the plans for Ringsend vocational school, Dublin, were approved; (ii) the persons or bodies in any, with which he consulted to ascertain those needs, and the dates of any such consultation; (iii) if he formally approached the National Rehabilitation Board at any time to ascertain the needs of handicapped persons in relation to the institution named, (iv) if no approaches or consultations were carried out, how he was aware of these needs on 28 November.

385.

Mr. Horgan

asked the Minister for Education if he will outline in relation to the facilities for handicapped people to be provided in the new vocational school at Ringsend, Dublin, (i) whether his reference to organisational arrangements in his reply to parliamentary question 175 of May 15 means that wheelchair users will require to be physically assisted from the ground floor to the dining area and library; (ii) if he has sought, or proposes to seek, the views of organisations representing the disabled of the acceptability of this means of overcoming architectural barriers; (iii) if he has sought, or proposes to seek, assurances from representatives of the trade unions representing the school staff about their willingness to co-operate in such exertions; (iv) if he has had, or proposes to have, discussions with the Minister for Labour regarding the inclusion of possible injuries arising from such activities within the scope of the Occupational Injuries Act.

Minister for Education (Mr. Wilson)

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 384 and 385 together.

The organisational arrangements referred to in my reply to Question 175 of May 15 are a matter in the first instance for the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee.

Arrangements are in train for a meeting with the National Rehabilitation Board and officers of my Department to review specific guidelines which might now be laid down in the matter of the provision of adequate facilities for physically handicapped pupils. The question of the facilities at Ringsend Vocational School may also be a matter for discussion.

The needs of the handicapped referred to in my reply to Parliamentary Questions 380 and 381 of November 28 last are the provision of easy access to schools, ease of movement within the school building and the provision of suitable toilet facilities.

These needs have been incorporated in my Department's brief for school planners for some years. The question of consultation in the case of any specific school is a matter for the appropriate school authority—in the case of Ringsend Vocational School the City of Dublin Vocational Education Committee.