Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 23 Feb 1999

Vol. 500 No. 7

Written Answers. - People with Disabilities.

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

328 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government if his attention has been drawn to the concerns expressed by the National Council for the Blind of Ireland at the lack of general access to the environment, particularly on streets and into public buildings, for visually impaired and blind people; if his attention has further been drawn to the difficulties that this inaccessibility poses for these people; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4976/99]

Enda Kenny

Ceist:

329 Mr. Kenny asked the Minister for the Environment and Local Government the proposals, if any, he has for a general plan to assist access to the environment for visually impaired and blind people; if he has communicated these proposals to all local authorities; if he has requested local authorities to have these proposals as part of their normal planning and redevelopment process; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [4977/99]

Minister for the Environment and Local Government (Mr. Dempsey)

I propose to take Questions Nos. 328 and 329 together.

I am aware of the concerns of the National Council for the Blind referred to by the Deputy. Part M of the building regulations, which came into operation in June 1992, deals with access for people with disabilities including people who have an impairment of hearing or sight. Part M applies to the construction of new public buildings and to extensions of, or works in connection with material alterations to existing buildings.

I intend to publish a consultation document later this year outlining my proposals for an amendment of Part M to make new houses commencing on or after 1 Janaury 2000, visitable by persons with disabilities. A copy of the document will be circulated to organisations representing the disabled, including the National Council for the Blind, for comments.

A traffic signs manual was published by my Department in December 1996, and was issued to all road authorities. This provides guidance to local authorities on various aspects of the provision and maintenance of all classes of road signs and markings including the provision of audible pedestrian or tactile signals and pelican crossings at particular locations for the benefit of the visually impaired. The provision of traffic management measures, including the provision of traffic lights, is a matter for the relevant local authority, in consultation with the Garda Síochána and-or the National Roads Authority in the case of national roads.

With regard to non-national roads, including footpaths, my Department's memoranda on grants for non-national roads 1996-99 urge local authorities to pay particular attention to the needs of the mobility impaired, including the visually impaired, when planning and executing road works and particularly when planning and designing pedestrian facilities. Measures recommended include the avoidance of steep or irregular gradients or sharp changes in the alignment of footpaths, the dishing of kerbs, the provision of wheelchair ramps at pedestrian crossing points where possible and consultation with representatives of people with disabilities where appropriate.