James Browne (Wexford, Fianna Fail)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

471. To ask the Minister for Education and Skills the reason for the rejection of a wheelchair lift in a school (details supplied); and if he will make a statement on the matter. [27012/17]

Richard Bruton (Dublin Bay North, Fine Gael)
Link to this: Individually | In context | Oireachtas source

In April 2016, the school to which the Deputy refers applied for funding under my Department's Emergency Works Grant Scheme for a range of Access for All works for its building.  This included the provision of a lift.

My Department provided funding to the school for a variety of measures excluding the lift because the school already has one.   

My Department notes that in one of the Reports accompanying the application, the Occupational Therapist advised the school that, in order to avoid the pupil travelling unnecessarily long distances, it would need to consider its timetable to use alternative suitable classrooms nearby.  My Department concurs with this approach, which would apply equally to use of the classrooms closest to the existing lift.  In this way, Access for All can be managed both by the provision that my Department can make and by practical local solutions.  This approach also allows my Department to provide the limited Access for All funding available to the greatest number of schools possible.