Kathleen Funchion (Carlow-Kilkenny, Sinn Fein)
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590. To ask the Minister for Children and Youth Affairs the progress that has been made in relation to the rolling out of toilet facilities for persons with disabilities (details supplied) [25234/20]

Roderic O'Gorman (Dublin West, Green Party)
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Overall responsibly for disability policy still rests with my colleague, the Minister for Justice. As a result, the information requested by the Deputy is not available in my Department at present.

However, the Department of Justice and Equality has provided the following information by way of response to the Deputy's Question.

Part M of the Building Regulations does not, at present, require the installation of changing place facilities. Notwithstanding this, some local authorities have installed changing place facilities. An example of a public body going beyond the minimum requirements in Part M is the motion passed by Dublin City Council to install changing place facilities in all new build and green field developments. The Department would certainly encourage all local authorities to be as far-sighted as this to enable the dignity, and indeed safety, of the person with the disability to be maintained at all times.

The objective of Changing Places Ireland to introduce fully accessible toilets in public places such as shopping centres, libraries and sporting arenas across the country is important and requires careful consideration. As the Deputy is aware, the Community Participation Bill 2019, a Private Members' Bill, is currently before Seanad Eireann and is at Third Stage. The Bill’s objective is to facilitate the inclusion and full participation of people with disabilities and their family and friends in their communities by enabling greater access to public spaces.