Dick Spring
Question:40 Mr. Spring asked the Minister for the Environment if he will outline any proposals he has to improve access to buildings for disabled persons; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Written Answers. - Building Regulations.
Proinsias De Rossa
Question:47 Proinsias De Rossa asked the Minister for the Environment the progress which has been made in drafting building regulations and building control regulations under the Building Control Act, 1990; and if he has yet appointed a building regulations advisory body.
Gay Mitchell
Question:59 Mr. G. Mitchell asked the Minister for the Environment when he will be tabling building regulations to make compulsory proper access for the disabled to all buildings used by the public; the reason for the delay in publishing the regulations; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Ruairí Quinn
Question:165 Mr. Quinn asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to complete his negotiations with representatives in the construction industry, including architects and other professionals, so as to enable the establishment of the Building Advisory Committee which will establish the means whereby building regulations will be implemented in full or in part; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Noel Dempsey
Question:166 Mr. Dempsey asked the Minister for the Environment the current position regarding accessability for wheelchair users in Government buildings and local authority offices; if he has satisfied himself with the current position or if he intends to undertake any steps to improve it; the steps he has taken to ensure that all new buildings, both public and private, cater for disabled people, particularly those confined to wheelchairs, in the matter of fire regulations, toilet facilities and emergency lifts.
I propose to take Questions Nos. 40, 47, 59, 165 and 166 together.
As regards existing Government buildings, I have previously written to my Cabinet colleagues asking them to ensure that provision is made for access for the disabled to buildings under their control. Local authorities have been asked to observe the requirements in the proposed building regulations which were issued in May 1984 and the funding arrangements for local authority offices, libraries and swimming pools are now subject to provision of adequate access for the disabled as set out in the proposed regulations.
For the future, building regulations to be made under section 3 of the Building Control Act, 1990, will place a very clear duty on people providing or reconstructing buildings to cater for the needs of disabled people. Following the enactment of the Act, draft building regulations and related technical guidance documents were circulated for comment. The proposals were also submitted to the Commission of the European Communities in accordance with the requirements of EC directive 83/189 EEC which requires member states to consult with the Commission in relation to any proposed technical regulations and standards. The regulations and technical guidance documents have been redrafted in the light of the comments received, and they have now been resubmitted to the Commission. When clearance is received from the Commission, which could take a minimum of three months, I will be in a position to make the regulations.
Section 6 of the Building Control Act provides for the making of building control regulations, which would contain procedural, administrative and control arrangements for the operation of the building control system. It is my intention that building control regulations will be made at the same time as building regulations. I also have in mind the establishment of a Building Regulations Advisory Body at, or as soon as possible after, the time the building regulations are made.