Rights of People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Thursday - 9 September 2021

Thursday, 9 September 2021

Questions (13)

Réada Cronin

Question:

13. Deputy Réada Cronin asked the Tánaiste and Minister for Enterprise, Trade and Employment if his Department will address the situation in relation to the removal of seating in shopping centres in the context of Covid-19 which is a serious barrier to persons with a disability who need to rest while they shop; if he will restore seating for this group as a matter of urgency who have suffered a disproportionate limit on their independence during the Covid-19 emergency; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [41907/21]

Written answers

Minister of State at the Department of Enterprise, Trade and Employment

The National Standards Authority of Ireland (NSAI) guidance document ‘COVID-19 Shopping Centre Recovery and Protection Guide’ includes a provision for public seating for people with disabilities and the elderly under section 6.7.3, as follows;

re moving seating areas (with exception of those for people with mobility or disability requirements). Where seating is retained for persons with disabilities and older people, this seating should be clearly marked a designated for these people.

Where appropriate, retailers should provide single portable seating outside their shops that are sign posted for “disabled/age friendly designated seating.

The full guidelines can be found on www.nsai.ie.