Kathleen Lynch
Question:73 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment the proposals, if any, he has to provide greater access for people with a disability to arts venues; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [12394/95]
Written Answers. - Access for the Disabled.
Seamus Kirk
Question:113 Mr. Kirk asked the Minister for the Environment the plans, if any, he has for the further development of access for the disabled to all public service offices. [11940/95]
Kathleen Lynch
Question:122 Kathleen Lynch asked the Minister for the Environment if his attention has been drawn to the problems experienced by people with disabilities seeking to gain admittance to arts centres, galleries, cinemas, theatres, museums and others; his views on whether access to the arts by people with disabilities is effectively limited; the proposals, if any, he has to remedy the situation. [9901/95]
I propose to take Questions Nos. 73, 113 and 122 together. The Building Regulations, 1991, place a clear duty on persons providing or reconstructing buildings to cater for the needs of disabled people. Government Departments and local authorities have been asked on a number of occasions over the years to ensure that appropriate provision is made for access for disabled people to buildings under their control. The provision of access for disabled people to other existing buildings (including arts centres, galleries, cinemas, etc) to which the public have access is a matter for the owners or occupiers of the buildings concerned.