Rights of People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Questions (322)

Holly Cairns

Question:

322. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Education her views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which her Department owns and public bodies and agencies under her remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38715/22]

Written answers

Minister for Education

My Department welcomes persons with a disability and carers visiting its campuses. The existing fully accessible toilet facilities are available for use if necessary.

I am aware that fully accessible changing areas and toilet facilities provide more space and appropriate equipment for persons who require the assistance of a carer to undertake their personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. The Deputy will be aware that the National Disability Authority (NDA) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) are working closely on the operational review of the effectiveness of Section 25 of the Disability Act 2005 which focuses on the accessibility of public buildings.

My Department will continue to work with the Office of Public Works (OPW) on upgrading any of our existing facilities, where appropriate, to support persons with a disability.

The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query.

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Education as at 29 th March 2022

Name of Body	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireachtas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
An Chomhairle um Oideachais Gaeltachta agus Gaelscolaíochta	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Educational Research Centre	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
National Centre for Guidance in Education	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
National Council for Curriculum and Assessment Note 1	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
State Examinations Commission	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
The Teaching Council	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
National Council for Special Education	[e-mail]	[e-mail] and [e-mail]
Residential Institutions Statutory Fund – Caranua	[e-mail]	[e-mail]

Note 1 - The spelling of the NCCA e-mail address to which Oireachtas queries may be addressed has been verified with the NCCA as being accurate.