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

In summer 2020, Cork City Council took the very welcome move to pedestrianise a number of streets and to allow on-street dining. This was revolutionary for businesses in light of the Covid-19 restrictions. It also greatly improved the atmosphere of the city and was the start of a return to some sort of normality for both the business community and the people of Cork.

Unfortunately, this decision involved the relocation of several disabled parking spaces, but this was done with little consultation with the disabled community. Eighteen months later, we are still awaiting a resolution in regard to the relocation of these disabled parking spaces. Ordinary parking spaces, with no ramps or extra space, have been painted blue and designated disabled parking; there are bollards blocking ramps on to the footpaths and, most dangerously, people with disabilities have to exit their cars onto really busy roads. Despite intervention by the Minister of State, Deputy Rabbitte, and continuous calls from me to rectify this situation, these issues have not been addressed.

There is engagement by Cork City Council with the voluntary group, Cork Access Group. Realistically these are volunteers but they do their best. They are being involved on a statutory basis but they are not having the impact they should have on planning and they are not being involved at the concept stage.

Public realm planning is a vitally important aspect of how we live, move, shop and survive in cities, towns and villages. Changes to the public realm often have unforeseen consequences but more and more, these consequences are falling unfairly on the accessibility of spaces. I am simply asking that when local authorities undertake public realm planning they do so with accessibility in mind. They should undertake and publish an accessibility impact study prior to public consultation. This would allow them to see whether disabled parking needs to be moved and whether footpaths will be narrowed or become shared. Consideration must be given to the use of tactile paving because at the moment in Cork, some tactile paving is being used as decoration.

Yesterday, Cork was found to be the best European city for economic potential. This is welcome but we cannot build a city and a prosperous economy if it does not include everyone in our society, especially those with a disability. The guidelines exist. We have the UNCRPD, the universal design guidelines, the Blind Guide and the NTA's own walkability audit. Local authorities have the tools but they are not all using them. The Government must make sure that when we improve our public spaces we improve them for everyone. We want to be an inclusive society and an inclusive State where those with a disability know they are respected, listened to and considered when planning cities, towns, villages, buildings and our public realm.

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