asked the Minister for Finance if he will outline in respect of all public buildings used by each State body for which he is statutorily responsible to the Dáil, if easy access to such buildings by means of ramps, lifts or otherwise does not exist for persons using wheelchairs; if so, if he will indicate the name and location of each such building; the services provided therein and the plans, if any, to improve the accessibility of the buildings to persons using wheelchairs.
Written Answers. - Access to Public Buildings.
126.
There is easy access to most buildings used by the State-sponsored bodies under my control. While I have no direct responsibility in the matter I will draw the attention of the bodies concerned to the desirability of providing such facilities where they are not already available. The cases where easy access is not available are as follows:
|
Body |
Location |
|
Agricultural Credit Corporation |
Upper Hatch Street, Dublin |
|
Main Street, Wicklow |
|
|
Castle Hill, Enniscorthy |
|
|
The Square, Kilrush |
|
|
Main Street, Swords |
|
|
Industrial Credit Corporation |
O'Connell Street, Limerick |
|
Irish Life Assurance Company, Limited |
South Mall, Cork |
|
Denny Street, Tralee |
|
|
Eyre Square, Galway |
131.
asked the Minister for Finance if will state in respect of all public buildings used by, or under the aegis of Government Departments, if easy access to such buildings by means of ramps, lifts or otherwise does not exist for persons using wheelchairs; if so, if he will indicate the name and location of each such building; the services provided therein; and the plans, if any, to improve the accessibility of the buildings to persons using wheelchairs.
The time available does not permit the inspection of all the buildings in the care of the Commissioners of Public Works with a view to the compilation of the comprehensive list requested by the Deputy.
It is Government policy to facilitate the disabled and for the past five years the Commissioners of Public Works have provided for ease of access for the disabled in the planning of new buildings. In general it is proposed to provide access for the disabled in existing buildings in conjunction with maintenance and improvement works as opportunity offers, but in certain existing buildings, where there was a pressing need for such facilities, they have already carried out the necessary adaptations. It is often not possible in older buildings, because of planning difficulties to provide suitable access. Similarly in large office buildings where the State has a leasehold interest of part only of the building and has not direct control of the entrances it is not always possible to insist on access for the disabled.
There is a large number of buildings to be dealt with and most of them have still to be adapted. As there is a limit to the resources of personnel and finance that can be made available to this purpose it is likely to be some years before the desired objective of access to all public buildings for the disabled can be achieved.