Rights of People with Disabilities

Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 13 July 2022

Wednesday, 13 July 2022

Ceisteanna (435)

Holly Cairns

Ceist:

435. Deputy Holly Cairns asked the Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science his views on providing fully accessible changing places and toilet facilities open to the public in all buildings which his Department owns and public bodies and agencies under his remit to offer people with disabilities and carers a network of equipped spaces to take care of personal hygiene, in safety and comfort. [38720/22]

Freagraí scríofa

Minister for Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

My Department is not the owner of any buildings or offices. The procurement, purchase and rent of Government offices is the responsibility of Property Management Services in the Office of Public Works, which acts as an agent for all Government Departments and offices. The Deputy will be aware that the National Disability Authority (NDA) and the Office of Public Works (OPW) are working closely on the operational review of the effectiveness of Section 25 of the Disability Act 2005 which focuses on the accessibility of public buildings.

I can confirm to the Deputy that new office space was acquired in September 2021 for my Department’s Head Quarters at 52 Stephen’s Green, Dublin 2. This building is currently in partial occupation pending completion of building works to be carried out on behalf of the Office of Public Works. As such, facilities are limited and due to the nature and layout of the historic building occupied by my Department the provision of changing, and or, toilet facilities to members of the public are not being considered at this time. I am aware that fully accessible changing areas and toilet facilities provide more space and appropriate equipment for persons who require the assistance of a carer to undertake their personal hygiene, in safety and comfort and my Department will continue to work with the Office of Public Works (OPW) on upgrading any of our existing facilities, where appropriate, to support persons with a disability.

The information in respect of state bodies, within the scope of the Deputy’s question, is not held by my Department. Contact details for these bodies are set out in the attached document should the Deputy wish to contact them directly with this query .

Contact E-Mail Addresses for State Bodies under the Remit of the Department of Further and Higher Education, Research, Innovation and Science

Name of Body	Dedicated Email address for the Members of the Oireacthas	Designated Official Responsible for assisting Oireachtas Members
Higher Education Authority	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Irish Research Council( Note 1)	[e-mail]	Padraic Mellett*
Grangegorman Development Agency	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
SOLAS	[e-mail]	Maria Walsh [e-mail]
Skillnets Ltd	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Quality and Qualifications Ireland	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Léargas – The Exchange Bureau	[e-mail]	[e-mail]
Science Foundation Ireland	[e-mail]	Ciara Cotter

Note 1 – In regard to the Higher Education Authority (HEA) and the Irish Research Council (IRC) as the IRC operates under the auspices of the HEA. Mr Mellett will address Oireachtas queries for both the HEA and IRC. Please use [e-mail] and [e-mail] respectively to contact Mr Mellett.