Dáil Éireann debate -
Wednesday, 5 May 1999

Vol. 504 No. 2

Written Answers. - Departmental Offices.

Denis Naughten

Question:

94 Mr. Naughten asked the Taoiseach the number of offices or institutions under his Department which are open to the public; the number of these accessible to people with disabilities; the plans, if any, there are to ensure all buildings are accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [11742/99]

The Taoiseach:

The offices and institutions under my Department which are open to the public and are accessible to people with disabilities are listed below. I take it for the purposes of this question the public to mean all the not employed in the offices or institutions.

Department of the Taoiseach: my own Department, which incorporates the National Centre for Partnership, is open to the public and is accessible to the disabled. The wheelchair lift located at the main entrance is currently being replaced; Central Statistics Office: located in Ardee Road, Rathmines, Dublin, and Skehard Road, Cork, these offices are open to the public and are accessible to people with disabilities; The National Economic and Social Council: located in Frederick House, South Frederick Street, Dublin, these offices are also open to the public and are accessible to people with disabilities; Law Reform Commission: located in IPC House, 35-39 Shelbourne Road, Ballsbridge, Dublin 4, these offices are open to the public and are accessible to people with disabilities; Tribunal of Inquiry (Payments to Haughey and Lowry): people with disabilities can gain access to the Tribunal's Administrative Office without any difficulty as it is situated on the ground floor of the State Apartments, Upper Yard, Dublin Castle; when the tribunal is sitting in George's Hall, Upper Yard, Dublin Castle, people with disabilities may gain entry by calling to the administrative office where a member of staff is always available during public sittings to escort the individual(s) concerned to a lift which gives access to George's Hall and wheelchair accessible toilets are located nearby; All-Party Oireachtas Committee on the Constitution: the offices of the committee are open to the public and located on the fourth floor of a privately owned building, Phoenix House and there is a lift to the fourth floor. Unfortunately, there are steps up to the front and back doors. Inquiries are being made with the landlord in relation to making the building more accessible to persons with disabilities; Information Society Commission: located in Dublin Castle the office is open to the public and is accessible to people with disabilities; the Offices of the Attorney General, the Director of Public Prosecutions and the Office of the Chief State Solicitor are not open to the public. Access is by arrangement.