Vol. 403 No. 4
194 Mr. Howlin asked the Minister for the Environment if he will request local authorities to provide means of access and communication including telephone access, to the handicapped including the deaf; if he will outline the progress in this regard to date; and if he will make a statement on the matter.
Part S of the proposed building regulations which were published by my Department in 1983 contains requirements concerning access to and circulation within buildings for handicapped people and all those involved in the construction industry, including local authorities, were requested to observe these requirements. Local authorities had previously been requested by my Department to take measures to ensure that public buildings are more accessible to handicapped people.
The needs of disabled people are also provided for in the revised draft of the building regulations to be made under the Building Control Act, 1990. The position regarding these draft regulations is outlined in the reply to Question No. 79 of 28 November 1990.
