Brian Stanley (Laois-Offaly, Sinn Fein)
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Question 118: To ask the Minister for the Environment, Community and Local Government if it contravenes building guidelines for a local authority to build a house in which the toilet is put in the kitchen of the house with a single door opening into the cooking and eating area of the family home. [38128/11]

Phil Hogan (Carlow-Kilkenny, Fine Gael)
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The Building Regulations set out the legal requirements that must be achieved by new buildings, including dwellings, or by existing buildings which are subject to an extension, a material alteration or a material change of use. The second schedule to the regulations outlines the requirements in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M) and an accompanying Technical Guidance Document (TGD) is published to demonstrate how compliance with each part can be achieved in practice.

TGD G addresses the requirements in relation to hygiene and at section 2.5 specifically states, in relation to a dwelling, that a room or space containing a water closet should be separated from a place used for the preparation of food by means of a door. The room arrangement described is therefore permissible.

The room in question, however, would need to comply with the basic ventilation provisions addressed in TGD F in relation to sanitary accommodation (not including a bath or shower). In addition, the guidance in relation to access for persons with a disability under TGD M should also be applied.