Dáil Éireann díospóireacht -
Tuesday, 30 Nov 1999

Vol. 511 No. 6

Written Answers. - Departmental Properties.

Jim O'Keeffe

Ceist:

339 Mr. J. O'Keeffe asked the Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs the number of his Department's offices or buildings open to the public which are not accessible to people with disabilities; and when they will be made accessible. [24982/99]

Minister for Social, Community and Family Affairs (Mr. D. Ahern)

Currently within my Department there are 150 buildings which are open to the public. A total of 105 of these are accessible to people with disabilities. Early in 2000 this will increase to 108.

These buildings include local offices, investigators' offices and headquarters buildings which have a public office. Excluded are citizens information offices which, although funded by my Department, are community based.

Substantial progress has been made in recent years in improving and upgrading the general standard and access facilities of my Department's offices. This process of upgrading will continue.

In respect of the 42 buildings not regarded as being fully accessible to people with disabilities, upgrading will ensure that these buildings are accessible to all.

This upgrading is being systematically undertaken, within the constraints of available technical and financial resources, as part of my Department's building and refurbishment programme. In addition, where refurbishment is neither practical nor appropriate, my Department is taking opportunities to provide accommodation at alternative locations.

All office upgrades and refurbishment are undertaken in conjunction with the Office of Public Works which ensures that compliance with standards regarding access are adhered to. Where offices are inaccessible to people with disabilities, arrangements can be made to visit such people in their homes.

My Department also has 70 branch offices which are operated by branch managers who are employed on a contract basis. Under the terms of the contract they are required to provide suitable accommodation. A recent survey of branch offices revealed that over half did not satisfy the criteria in relation to accessibility for people with disabilities.

However, my Department has recently concluded an agreement with the branch managers in relation to their future role and their remuneration. Included in this agreement is the requirement that specific criteria be met in terms of the standard of accommodation provided by the branch manager and in this regard they will be required to make the premises accessible to people with disabilities within a reasonable period.