Anne Rabbitte (Fianna Fail) | Oireachtas source

I thank the Leader for being here this morning. I will use my time to discuss universal design guidelines for changing places toilets. It was a good colleague of the Leader, the then Minister of State, Deputy Peter Burke, who brought forward the change in regulations for Part M 2022. The changing of the regulations was to ensure that all of our local authorities would be in a position to make their public buildings more accessible and inclusive, particularly as regards changing spaces. On top of that, the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design at the National Disability Authority, NDA, produced guidelines to work with the legislative side relating to good practice when choosing the location of changing places, in their design and in managing and maintaining them.

Nearly 12 months have elapsed since the regulations were amended. Part M is in place and the guidance has been launched but only nine of the 32 local authorities have changing place toilets that meet an older person's standard and only six have some that meet the current building standards. That speaks volumes as regards where we are in terms of disability in this country. The NDA has communicated with between 17,100 and 36,000 people to see where the need is. We are locking people out of travelling around the country and leaving their home to travel to different local authority areas. We have fantastic facilities, be it walkways or greenways, but people do not have access to a basic need such as a toilet and a proper changing place that meets the requirements of Part M of the legislation and the accompanying guidance. What is in the guidance? A changing place must have a hoist, larger bins, a tracking system and a screen or curtain for dignity. Most importantly, it must have enough space for a person with a disability and two carers to enable them to provide assistance. I ask the Leader to arrange statements with the Minister with responsibility for local authorities. The Government has changed Part M. We now need the other local authorities to come forward. In addition, there is no point in giving funding to sporting organisations unless they are also prepared to meet Part M requirements.