Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 194: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application of new regulations requiring the provision on in-class disabled toilet facilities to a new planned school project (details supplied) in County Cork. [14401/10]

Michael McGrath (Cork South Central, Fianna Fail)
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Question 195: To ask the Tánaiste and Minister for Education and Science the position regarding the application of new regulations requiring the provision on in-class disabled toilet facilities to a new planned school extension project (details supplied) in County Cork. [14402/10]

Mary Coughlan (Donegal South West, Fianna Fail)
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I propose to take Questions Nos. 194 and 195 together.

From January 1st 2010 all new building projects, including those for schools, must obtain a Disability Access Certificate from the relevant Local Authority. The Building Control (Amendment) Regulations 2009 (S.I. 351 of 2009) prescribes the procedures to be followed in respect of these new certification measures. The basis for developing the Disability Access Certificate documentation is Part M of the current Building Regulations 2000.

In general, however, it has been the policy of my Department to provide all new schools with access-for-all facilities and special toilets for disabled teachers and students. In addition, new schools with two or more storeys are provided with lifts to enable access-for-all.

My Department advises school authorities and their design teams of accessibility requirements during the architectural planning of projects.

Both of the projects referred to by the Deputy are at an advanced stage of architectural planning. However, due to industrial action on the part of some staff in the Department of Education and Science, I am not in a position to give further details in respect of the two projects referred to by the Deputy.