asked the Minister for the Environment if he will state in respect of all public buildings used by each State body for which he is statutorily responsible if easy access to such buildings by means of ramps, lifts or otherwise does not exist for persons using wheelchairs; if so, if he will indicate the name and location of each such building; the services provided therein; and the plans, if any, to improve the accessibility of the buildings to persons using wheelchairs.
Written Answers. - Access to Public Buildings.
169.
As the reply is in the form of a tabular statement. I propose, with the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, to have it circulated with the Official Report.
Following is the statement:
The following public buildings used by State bodies under my aegis have not easy access for persons using wheelchairs. In the case of the National Building Agency the matter is under consideration. In other cases there are no immediate plans to adapt the buildings:
|
Name and Address |
Function |
Remarks |
|
(1) National Building Agency, Hatherton, Richmond Avenue, Dublin 6. |
The National Building Agency builds houses, on request, for local authorities and other State bodies. |
The Agency does not deal directly with members of the public. |
|
(2) Local Government Computer Service Board, Park House, North Circular Road, Dublin 7. |
The Local Government Computer Board provides computer processing services for local authorities. |
The Board does not deal directly with members of the public. The Board is not the major tenant in Park House. |
|
(3) Local Government Staff Negotiation Board, Park House, North Circular Road, Dublin 7. |
The Local Government Staff Negotiation Board was established to provide an industrial relations service to local authorities and health boards. |
The Board does not deal directly with members of the public. The Board is not the major tenant in Park House. |
|
(4) An Chomhairle Leabharlanna, 53 & 54 Upper Mount Street, Dublin 2. |
An Chomhairle Leabharlanna gives advice to local autho rities on public library development and provides financial assistance through my Department. |
An Chomhairle does not deal directly with members of the public. |
|
(5) An Foras Forbartha, St. Martin's House, Waterloo Road, Dublin 4. |
An Foras Forbartha is the National Institute for Physical Planning and Construction Research. The main function of An Foras is to carry out research work in the fields of physical planning, construction, roads, water resources and certain environmental matters. |
St. Martin's House is used for conferences, lectures and library facilities. The accommodation occupied by An Foras is rented, and An Foras is only one of the tenants in the building. |
An Foras Forbartha has also accommodation in the buildings listed below. All of this accommodation is rented and in most cases An Foras Forbartha is only one of several tenants in the building. None of these buildings has ramps, lifts or other services to facilitate the access of persons using wheelchairs, nor do plans exist to facilitate the access of persons using wheelchairs, nor do plans exist to facilitate such accessibility.
These buildings are as follows:
An Foras Forbartha Laboratory, Pottery Road, Deansgrange, Dublin.
41 Upper Mount Street, Dublin.
Regional Laboratory, Old National School, Monaghan.
Regional Laboratory. 31 Patrick Street, Kilkenny.
Regional Laboratory, Eastern Industrial Estate, McHale Road, Castlebar, Co. Mayo.
Athlone Hydrometric Office. The Rectory, Church Street, Athlone.
Limerick Hydrometric Office. The Crescent College, The Crescent, Limerick.
Mallow Hydrometric Office. Gouldshiel House, Mallow, Co. Cork.
Letterkenny Hydrometric Office. 11 Rosemount Lane, Letterkenny.
Note 1. The National Building Agency and An Foras Forbartha are not statutory bodies but are included for the sake of completeness.
Note 2. Public buildings which are occupied by bodies under my aegis and which have reasonable access are not included in the reply.