Finian McGrath
Question:336 Deputy Finian McGrath asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government if he will support a matter (details supplied). [5391/10]
View answerWednesday, 3 February 2010
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Written answers
My Department's statutory Development Management Guidelines, published in June 2007, were issued under Section 28 of the Planning and Development Act 2000 and An Bord Pleanála is obliged to have regard to them in the performance of its planning functions. The Guidelines advise that potential applicants should be made aware at pre-application stage of the necessity to ensure that the design implications of accessibility are addressed in housing and commercial development. The Guidelines further state it should also be considered whether it is necessary to add specific conditions to ensure access for all in the approach to buildings from the main road, from the street or from disabled car parking.
The Guidelines also refer to the National Disability Authority's 2002 publication, Building for Everyone, which offers good practice on the accessibility issue and suggest that consultation with organisations representative of people with disabilities may also be of assistance. Furthermore it is the responsibility of the owner or builder to ensure that their building is in compliance with the Building Regulations including Part M, which is currently under review.
There is provision under the Building Control Act 2007 for the introduction of a Disability Access Certificate which came into effect on 1 January 2010. The Certificate, which will be issued by the Building Control Authority, will certify compliance of the building (non-domestic and apartment blocks) with Part M at design stage. Where Certificates are refused or granted subject to conditions, the applicant may appeal to An Bord Pleanála.