asked the Minister for Energy 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 names 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.
Written Answers. - Access to Public Buildings.
269.
Arrangements of the kind referred to by the Deputy are clearly matters which fall within the day-to-day management and competence of the boards of State bodies concerned. I fully agree with the view, which is implicit in the Deputy's question, that it is important to have suitable and adequate facilities of this kind.
Although it has been the practice not to intervene in matters of day-to-day management by State bodies, I have asked those under the aegis of my Department to report to me on the position. The information which I have received indicates that, as a general rule, adequate access is available for persons using wheelchairs in premises to which members of the general public would normally have access.