Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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Question 43: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government the obligation there is on local authorities to ensure easy access to public buildings for the elderly and people with disabilities; if they are obliged to conduct audits of buildings under their control and carry out works where necessary; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [20941/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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My Department's sectoral plan, as provided for in section 36 of the Disability Act 2005, was developed in consultation with people with disabilities to assist the Department and local authorities in supporting an inclusive society with accessible buildings, facilities, services and information. There are statutory provisions, codes of practice and guidelines available to assist local authorities in providing the measures required in the sectoral plan.

Following the completion of accessibility audits, local authorities are required to draw up implementation plans setting out programmes to give effect to the commitments and objectives contained in the Disability Act 2005 and the Department's related sectoral plan. Each implementation plan, when adopted, will be published and placed on the authority's website with targets and timeframes for carrying out the required works. Priority will be given to local authority buildings and other facilities to which people with disabilities most frequently require access, including footpaths, public amenity areas, information and other services. To date, 22 implementation plans have been received by my Department. A further six local authorities have completed accessibility audits with significant progress being made towards finalising their implementation plans.

My Department provides €15 million annually to local authorities to assist them in carrying out actions under the national disability strategy. The Department is monitoring progress on the implementation of the plans and seeks reports, as appropriate, as required by the sectoral plan.

Terence Flanagan (Dublin North East, Fine Gael)
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I thank the Minister for his response. How often will audits of public buildings take place and what targets has the Minister put in place for local authorities to make public buildings more accessible?

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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We have taken a number of measures in the Department. We have established the local government disability steering committee and the Disability Act sectoral plan advisory committee, introduced the Building Control Act 2007 to provide for disability access certificates, initiated a review of Part M of the building regulations, introduced the revised housing adaptation grants scheme for older persons and people with a disability in November 2007 and implemented a new protocol governing liaison between housing authorities and the HSE on the assessment of the accommodation needs of people with a disability. A second protocol which deals with support costs for social housing projects for people with a disability is expected to be finalised by the third quarter of 2008. New development management guidelines for planning authorities were issued in 2008.

Building regulations and other statutory instruments were introduced. The local government Disability Act steering committee and the publications of the National Disability Authority, including statutory codes of practice made under the Disability Act 2005, provide guidance and advice to assist local authorities in providing services to people with a disability. Local authorities have competent professional, technical and administrative staff to ensure that services are provided for what I call best practice standards.

Joanna Tuffy (Dublin Mid West, Labour)
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Local authorities are still allowing buildings to be constructed that do not have proper access for the disabled. An example relates to affordable housing. I dealt with a constituent who was offered affordable housing by a particular council but when she went to examine it, she found that she could not move her wheelchair around the building. Apparently, the apartments were built in keeping with Part M of the building regulations.

We need a two-pronged approach. The most cost-effective way is to ensure that any new public or private building that has been given permission has proper access.

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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I agree with the Deputy. I have the implementation plans here and can give that detail to Deputies Tuffy and Terence Flanagan. The list is too long to read out now but I can give the Deputies all that information. It goes through all the county councils, the implementation plans received and comments about where they are in respect of those plans.