Maeve O'Connell (Dublin Rathdown, Fine Gael)
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265. To ask the Minister for Transport, Tourism and Sport to report as to if there are any plans within his Department to review and amend the ‘Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets’ document; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [25190/25]

Darragh O'Brien (Dublin Fingal East, Fianna Fail)
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The Design Manual for Urban Roads and Streets was first launched by the then Ministers for Transport, Tourism and Sport and Housing and Planning in 2013. The development of DMURS commenced in 2010 via a working group which consisted of staff from the various local authorities, together with both Departments. A revision to DMURS, which was issued in August 2019, was overseen by a Steering Committee that included a representative of the National Disability Association (NDA). A number of individual meetings were also held with further correspondence received from the NDA prior to the issue of the revised document. Based on these interactions with the NDA several amendments were made to DMURS with regard to the use of materials, kerb heights, use of zebra crossings and references to ‘Building for Everyone, A Universal Design Approach’ published by the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design.

DMURS has always been viewed as a ‘live’ document, and the website (www.dmurs.ie) was developed to provide an accessible resource for all updates and supplementary material (including advice notes) along with links to key publications and case study material. Both the Department of Transport and Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage consult on issues as they arise, such as those raised during conferences or forums. When required additional expertise is drawn on to address specific issues. The Sustainable Mobility Policy highlights the continuation of a joint approach in respect of DMURS to ensure widespread and consistent implementation. This is ongoing and work is currently underway to develop a new DMURS Advice Note 7, on the Reallocation of Street Space.