Vol. 559 No. 3
134 Mr. P. Breen asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if he has instructed local authorities, health boards, vocational education committees and all public bodies to ensure that facilities are made accessible for disabled persons under the Barcelona Declaration; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [26211/02]
The Barcelona Declaration is addressed to European municipal governments. It is primarily a matter for Irish local authorities to decide on the adoption and implementation of its principles. Some 49 local authorities have so far adopted it.
While respecting the primary role of local authorities in relation to the declaration, the Government is supporting an initiative under the auspices of the National Disability Authority, and which was launched earlier this year, to raise awareness of and promote the declaration among local authorities in Ireland.
Access to buildings for disabled people is extensively addressed in part M of the national buildings regulations, as set out in reply to Question No. 408 on 10 December.
