Caoimhghín Ó Caoláin (Cavan-Monaghan, Sinn Fein)
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Question 83: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government his plans to establish universal design and lifetime adaptability guidelines and incorporate them as a legal requirement for all newly built houses, with a national monitoring system for implementation; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27596/08]

John Gormley (Dublin South East, Green Party)
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The concept of Universal Design centres on achieving a built environment that can be accessed, understood and used to the greatest extent possible by all people, regardless of their age, size or disability. The achievement of this objective is being greatly assisted by the ongoing work of my Department in developing new comprehensive guidance on interrelated housing and planning issues, focusing on house design, residential density and best practice in relation to the planning and design of residential neighbourhoods. My Department has also been engaged in an extensive review of Part M of the Building Regulations. Following a public consultation on the existing provisions in 2006, a draft revised Part M and associated Technical Guidance Document will be published for a final round of public consultation shortly. This will represent a step change in standards for accessibility and underpin the principle of Universal Design. A national housing strategy for people with a disability is also being prepared under the aegis of a National Advisory Group, chaired by my Department and involving the Department of Health and Children, the Health Service Executive, the social partners and other relevant stakeholders including the National Disability Authority. The strategy is to be completed by end 2009 and the concept of Lifetime Adaptable Housing will be considered in that context.