Thomas Gould (Cork North Central, Sinn Fein) | Oireachtas source

I will touch on the point the Minister mentioned about accessibility. In Cork city, during Covid, a number of streets were pedestrianised, which was very successful with restaurants, bars and cafés having on-street dining. We welcomed and supported it. There were issues about accessibility, though, which the Minister touched on. It is really important that local authorities work with the industry but at the same time ensure that people with limited mobility and disabilities are not left out. There is a balance to be struck because people always have a right to access. That is something on which I would encourage more engagement with disability groups and campaigners.

I cannot remember which Minister brought it forward, but the issue was raised that local authorities should do an accessibility audit. The problem is that when I raised the issue in the Dáil, there was no financial support behind it. I ask the Minister and the Department to look at putting funding in place for local authorities to carry out this disability audit. That would then allow every local authority to disability-proof their cities, towns and villages. It is a really positive thing. Some local authorities do it and they should be commended. Every local authority should do it, however, and funding should be provided to support it. It is a really positive thing we could do for people with disabilities.

I have been trying to make Cork a disability-friendly city for people who travel and for tourism. That is something we should be rolling out nationally. On the back of that, I certainly believe local authorities in cities such as Cork and other major cities and towns should have a disability officer. There is an accessibility group that meets in Cork.

With regard to planning and the changes that are made, each local authority with a major city or town within its area should have such an officer.

The last point I will make relates to one the Minister has made. There are a lot of businesses struggling, especially tourism businesses, cafes and bars. We have a representative in the Bandon-Kinsale area, Clare O'Callaghan. She was telling me about the number of businesses, cafes and restaurants, that are closing in west Cork. West Cork was one of the major tourism areas of the country. There are really big problems there and so we welcome this. However, the Government probably needs to do something more on a broader scale. I will finish on that.