asked the Minister for Labour if he will state in respect of all public buildings used by each State body for which he is statutorily responsible, 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.
202.
The bodies for which I am responsible are An Chomhairle Oiliúna (AnCO) and the Council for Education Recruitment and Training for the Hotel, Catering and Tourism Industries (CERT).
So far as AnCO are concerned, access for persons using wheelchairs is afforded at head office in Dublin and at a number of training centres. Similar access is being provided as a matter of course at all new training centres. In centres in which facilities do not at present exist they are, with one exception, being provided or will be provided as part of replacement, reconstruction or extension of the buildings concerned. The centres in question are located at Sligo, Gweedore, Galway, Shannon, Limerick, Cork (Victoria Road), Tralee and Dublin (Ballyfermot). The exception is the training centre at Beresford Place, Dublin, which is of a temporary nature and does not lend itself to the provision of access for wheelchairs.
In regard to CERT, there is a side entrance at garden level which provides access for wheelchairs. The CERT training centre at Roebuck Road, Dublin, provides for access and circulation by handicapped persons. It is envisaged that this building will eventually become CERT's headquarters and provision is being made in planning its development for ease of access and circulation for the handicapped.
209.
asked the Minister for the Public Service if he will state in respect of all public buildings used by each State body for which he is statutorily responsible 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 building to persons using wheelchairs.
There are no State-sponsored bodies for which I am statutorily responsible.
221.
asked the Minister for Education if he will state in respect of all public buildings used by each State body for which he is statutorily responsible 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.
Buildings occupied by the Department of Education are the responsibility of the Commissioners of Public Works and information in regard to the facilities available for persons using wheelchairs should be sought from the Office of Public Works.
There are two bodies in connection with the Department of Education to which the question from the Deputy may refer. They are (1) the Higher Education Authority; (2) the National Council for Educational Awards. The services provided by these bodies do not directly involve the general public.
I shall have the subject matter of the question from the Deputy brought to the attention of these bodies for the purpose of their consideration of any appropriate action which might be desirable on their part.