Dáil Éireann debate -
Tuesday, 23 Jan 1996

Vol. 460 No. 3

Written Answers. - Access Facilities.

Mary Wallace

Question:

334 Miss M. Wallace asked the Minister for Education if her attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed in the village of Dunboyne, County Meath, with regard to the accessibility of the new post-primary school for wheelchair students; the immediate action, if any, that will be taken by her Department to ensure that the building is accessible throughout to wheelchair students; her policy in relation to the accessibility of new school buildings in view of the fact that a similar problem arose with the new school in Ashbourne which opened in 1995 with a gravel path to the front door thereby proving the school to be inaccessible; and if she will make a statement on this matter and, in particular, on the specifics on the accessibility of Dunboyne school. [19371/96]

Minister for Education (Ms Bhreathnach)

It is the policy of the Department of Education to provide all new second-level schools with access facilities and special toilets to cater for disabled students. Access facilities for disabled students are provided for in Phase 1 of the building project to Dunboyne post-primary school and special toilets will be included in the architectural plans for Phase 2.

In relation to the issue of wheelchair access to the new school in Ashbourne, I understand that the position is that wheelchair access is provided by the tarmac access road which runs parallel to the pedestrain (gravel) access to the main entrance. This route has a ramped section which leads to a concrete path, which is also ramped up to the main entrance doors.