Vol. 519 No. 5
261 Mr. P. Carey asked the Minister for Arts, Heritage Gaeltacht and the Islands if her attention has been drawn to the fact that wheelchair users are unable to use the hot houses/green houses in the National Botanic Gardens; and if she will make a statement on the matter. [14184/00]
My Department is fully committed to wheelchair accessibility in the National Botanic Gardens. Five of the eight glasshouses open to the public at the gardens are fully accessible to wheelchair users at all times. These are: the curvilinear range, the Fern House, the Water House, the Camellia House and the Orchid House.
Wheelchair access to the Alpine House has been prevented on a temporary basis owing to the ongoing construction of the visitor centre and carpark but full accessibility will be restored again at the end of July when building of this new facility has been completed. Access to the Palm House is available on request through the rear door but full accessibility will be made available following the restoration of the Palm House which is due to commence at the end of the year.
The one other glasshouse, the Cactus House, is also accessible to wheelchair users on request which is the case because it has single Victorian doors which are independently fastened. I understand that an improvement in wheelchair accessibility to the glasshouse is being addressed.
