Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 3 November 2020
647. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his views on amending building regulations to make it mandatory for public buildings to include changing places and toilet facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [33945/20]
View answerNew buildings and extensions or material alterations to existing buildings must comply with the legal minimum performance standards set out in the Building Regulations 1997 - 2019. In this context, the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010, and the accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010), which came into effect on 1 January 2012, set out the minimum statutory requirements that a building must achieve in respect of access.
In relation to the Deputy’s specific query, I will give full consideration to a review in respect of provisions for changing places and toilet facilities (commonly known as a ‘Changing Places Toilet’) in certain buildings. This may involve an amendment to the requirements of Part M and the development of sufficiently detailed guidance for inclusion in the associated Technical Guidance Document M to ensure proper practical implementation in both certain new buildings and existing buildings undergoing works.
The requirements of Part M aim to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability:
- new buildings other than dwellings are accessible and usable;
- extensions to existing buildings other than dwellings are, where practicable, accessible and useable;
- material alterations to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable;
- certain changes of use to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings where practicable; and
- new dwellings are visitable.
Part M of the Building Regulations aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate.
While the latest iteration of Part M of the Building Regulations initially coincided with the general downturn in economic and construction activity, its positive effects on access and use in the built environment can now be seen more widely.
The Building Regulations, including Part M requirements, are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation.
Costs are examined in the context of proposed legislative changes, particularly in relation to Building Regulations, and a cost benefit analysis and regulatory impact analysis is carried out on any proposed amendments.
