Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 24 Oct 1995

Vol. 457 No. 4

Written Answers. - Cork Courthouse.

John O'Donoghue

Question:

169 Mr. O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Justice the plans, if any, she has to have improvements made to the District Court building in Cork with a view to providing adequate access to wheelchair users; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [15629/95]

Minister for Justice (Mrs. Owen)

The Old Model School in Anglesea Street was refurbished as the new District Courthouse in Cork city at a cost of £1.78 million. This building, now includes three courtrooms, a family law suite, judges chambers, office space, consultation rooms, legal practitioners rooms, a detention area and toilets.

When preparing the plans for the refurbishment of this building, my Department, while seeking to restore a significant historic building, was conscious of the needs of people with disabilities. Consequently the building has proper facilities installed for persons with mobility difficulties. These include car parking spaces for the disabled, ramps at the main and family law entrances, a toilet for the disabled and a position in the courtrooms from which a witness in a wheelchair can give evidence. All public areas of the courthouse with the exception of part of the court office and the legal representatives room are accessible to persons with mobility difficulties. However, such persons may conduct all their business on the ground floor as sufficient, suitable facilities have been made available at this level.

The National Rehabilitation Board examined this building and issued a report which included a number of recommendations which were over and above the regulatory requirements, all these with the exception of two items, the installation of a lift and a telephone for the hard-of-hearing, have been or are in the process of being implemented. A mezzanine floor has been installed as part of the office area. This and the legal practitioners robing room are the only areas not accessible to all. To access both these areas would require not one but two lifts as they are not connected.

These areas represent only 15 per cent of the floor space. The building is accessible to wheelchair users and complies fully with all the building regulations.

This building is not only user-friendly for persons with mobility difficulties but also for other disabled persons. Examples of this include the installation of suitable lighting to assist the visually impaired and loop-systems in the courtrooms to assist the hard-of-hearing.