New 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, my Department proposes to establish a Working Group to examine the inclusion of a provision in relation to a ‘Changing Places Facility’, (commonly known as a ‘Changing Places Toilet’), in Part M/TGD M of the second schedule of the Building Regulations. In this regard, my Department has recently written to a number of relevant stakeholders to invite their organisations to participate in the Working Group.
The Terms of Reference for the Working Group include, assisting in the preparation of a draft documentation for public consultation (this will include an examination of costs and preparation of a regulatory impact analysis). The Working Group will then review submissions received, post public consultation and will support the finalisation of a revised draft Part M/TGD M.
It is proposed to hold an initial introductory meeting of the Working Group in the coming weeks.