Services for People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 28 March 2013

Thursday, 28 March 2013

Questions (186)

Terence Flanagan

Question:

186. Deputy Terence Flanagan asked the Minister for Justice and Equality if legislation is in place that requires that businesses and public offices make their premises wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [15782/13]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Justice and Equality (Deputy Kathleen Lynch)

The Disability Act 2005, subject to certain conditions (detailed in section 25(4) and section 29 of the Act), provides that a public body shall ensure that its public buildings are, as far as practicable, accessible to persons with disabilities. Public buildings within the terms of the Act are buildings, or that part of a building, to which members of the public generally have access and which is occupied, managed or controlled by a public body.

The Act makes reference to Part M of the Building Regulations 1997 (as amended) which deals with access for people with disabilities and are under the remit of the Minister for Environment, Community and Local Government. The Disability Act 2005 requires that relevant buildings which were public buildings on the commencement of section 25 of the Act, i.e. on 31 December 2005, be brought into compliance with Part M of the Building Regulations not later than December 2015 and be brought into compliance with any amendment of Part M not later than 10 years after the commencement of the amendment.

The Disability Act does not cover access to private premises and businesses.