Peter Burke (Longford-Westmeath, Fine Gael)
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The Building Regulations set out the minimum legal performance requirements for the design and construction of new buildings (including dwellings) and certain works to existing buildings.

The Building Regulations (Part M Amendment) Regulations 2010, which came into effect on 1 January 2012, sets out the minimum statutory requirements that a building must achieve in respect of access and use. The requirements of Part M aim to ensure that regardless of age, size or disability:

- new buildings other than dwellings are accessible and usable;

- extensions to existing buildings other than dwellings are, where practicable, accessible and useable;

- material alterations to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings, where practicable;

- certain changes of use to existing buildings other than dwellings increase the accessibility and usability of existing buildings where practicable; and

- new dwellings are visitable.

Part M aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. The accompanying Technical Guidance Document M – Access and Use (2010) (TGD M), provides guidance on how the requirements of Part M can be achieved in practice. TGD M is available on my Department’s website atwww.gov.ie/en/publication/78e67-technical-guidance-document-m-access-and-use/#current-edition

While the Part M requirements may be regarded as a statutory minimum level of provision, the accompanying technical guidance encourages building owners and designers to have regard to the design philosophy of universal design and to consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate.

Building Regulations and the associated TGDs are subject to ongoing review in the interests of safety and the well-being of persons in the built environment and to ensure that due regard is taken of changes in construction techniques, technological progress and innovation. Recently, Part M of the Building Regulations was amended to provide for Changing Places Toilets in certain buildings and a number of reviews are ongoing at present including Part B Fire Safety.

In respect of wheelchair liveable housing, I launched a new joint National Housing Strategy for Disabled People (NHSDP) 2022-2027 on 14 January 2022, together with my colleagues Minister Darragh O’Brien and Ms. Anne Rabbitte, T.D., Minister of State with responsibility for Disability (available at gov.ie- National Housing Strategy for Disabled People 2022 – 2027 (www.gov.ie) ) This Strategy sets out the vision for the cooperation and collaboration of Government Departments, state agencies and others in delivering housing and the related supports for disabled people over the next five years. This Strategy will operate within the framework of Housing for All – A New Housing Plan for Ireland.

Housing for All is committed to ensuring that affordable, quality housing with an appropriate mix of housing design types provided within social housing. This mix will include universally designed units so as to be available to everyone in Irish society including those with disabilities. Preparation of an Implementation Plan for the Strategy is underway.