Dáil Éireann Debate, Tuesday - 26 April 2022
620. Deputy Eoin Ó Broin asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage his plans to amend part M of the technical guidance documents of the building regulations to include wheelchair liveability guidance and guidance for universal design plus and universal design plus. [19517/22]
View answer646. Deputy Richard O'Donoghue asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if discussions are expected to review and amend the current inadequate building regulations Part M 2010 to include guidance for fully wheelchair-liveable housing; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20110/22]
View answerI propose to take Questions Nos. 620 and 646 together.
The Building Regulations apply to the design and construction of all new buildings (including dwellings) and to certain works to existing buildings. They 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.
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 and use.
The accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010), sets out the minimum statutory requirements that a building must achieve in respect of access. The TGDs are available on my Department’s website at: www.gov.ie/en/publication/78e67-technical-guidance-document-m-access-and-use/#current-edition
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 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.
Since 2011 housing for disabled people has been addressed in a dedicated joint Strategy between the Department and the Department of Health. A new joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 was launched on 14 January 2022.
The new Strategy sets out the vision for the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people over the next five years. This new Strategy will operate within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland which is committed to ensuring access to good quality homes through a steady supply of housing in the right locations, with economic, social and environmental sustainability built into the system, including the aim to deliver appropriately designed and specified housing for disabled and older people in line with the vision and principles of universal design. Preparation of an Implementation Plan is already underway with a target for completion by the second quarter of 2022.
