Vol. 494 No. 4
395 Mr. Deenihan asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if his attention has been drawn to access difficulties for people with disabilities at Cork District Court where there is no lift provided and where there are 23 steps leading to the general public office and 22 steps to the solicitor's office; the corrective action, if any, he intends to take to make the building accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [18549/98]
I am aware there are difficulties for people with disabilities at Cork District Court in accessing certain parts of the building as outlined in the question.
The areas which are not accessible to people with disabilities amount to less than 15 per cent of the total area of the courthouse. I understand that some of the District Court offices are located at ground floor level, including the cash office and the family law office and arrangements are in place so that people with disabilities can transact all their business in the ground floor offices. I also understand that a room is made available to any legal practitioner with disabilities who cannot gain access to the legal practitioners' room.
However, as I am concerned to ensure that people with disabilities should have access throughout the building, I can inform the Deputy that a review of the accommodation needs at Cork District Court is currently under way including the access difficulties outlined in the question.
