Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 11 October 2023
136. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage the number of public changing places facilities available, by location, in tabular form; the actions being taken by his Department to increase the number of available facilities; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [44397/23]
View answerAs Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage I have responsibility for the Building Regulations that set out the minimum legal requirements for the construction of new buildings and certain works to existing buildings.
Last year, following a public consultation I introduced the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2022 to increase the provision of changing places toilets in certain new buildings, and to improve the accessibility and usability of existing building stock by making provision for a changing places toilet, where there is a significant extension or material change of use.
The number of new changing places toilets provided will be determined by construction activity commenced and the number of buildings or works that meet the use and size criteria listed in the Technical Guidance Document M.
The operative date of the Regulations is 1 January, 2023. It should be noted that subject to the transitional periods cited in the Regulation, the Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2022 will apply to buildings or works commenced after 1 January 2024.
It is not within the remit of my Department to collect or collate data on the numbers of public changing places toilets available.
