(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment when he proposes to approve of the building regulations and if he will introduce the section of the regulations dealing with the needs of the disabled as an interim measure.

11.

(Cavan-Monaghan) asked the Minister for the Environment if he considers that all buildings frequented by the public should be designed to facilite access by the disabled and if he will influence planning policy accordingly in respect of all new and reconstructed buildings.

With the permission of the Ceann Comhairle, I propose to take Questions Nos. 10 and 11 together.

I agree that all buildings frequented by the public should be designed to facilitate access by the disabled. My Department have issued a number of circulars to local authorities advising them of the need to improve the access to buildings under their control and to ensure that their planning staff take account of the needs of the disabled when considering planning applications.

The building regulations when made will include provisions requiring buildings to which the public have access to be designed to meet the special needs of the disabled. Examination of the comments received on the draft building regulations is expected to be completed this year. It is not possible at this stage, however, to say when the regulations will be made. In the meantime, it is considered undesirable to introduce a particular part of the regulations in isolation as an interim measure.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister say when the draft building regulations were drafted?

A large number of submissions have been made in connection with these regulations and they are being studied.

(Cavan-Monaghan): When was the last date for the receipt of those representations?

December, 1977.

(Cavan-Monaghan): And the Minister hopes that they will be considered finally this year?

Yes.

Question No. 12.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Would it not be advisable to introduce now that section of the building regulations dealing with the provision of access for the disabled?

That might be desirable but enforcement could be rather difficult.

I have called the next question.

(Cavan-Monaghan): There are two questions involved.

The Deputy is on his feet and continuing to ask questions across the floor without any reference to the Chair.

(Cavan-Monaghan): I am sorry, Sir. May I ask a further supplementary arising out of question No. 11? Would the MInister not agree that he should influence planning policy in order to ensure that all new buildings to which the public have access would have facilities for the disabled?

I have stated that already in my reply. It is essential that we influence planning policy in the way suggested and we have made this known to planning authorities throughout the country.

(Cavan-Monaghan): Can the Minister influence planning policy?

No, we can only bring it to their attention and this we have done.

Could the Minister say if the representations which have been received and are being processed since December 1977—in so far as the Minister has the information—would seek to dilute provision for facilitating the disabled in the new draft building regulations? Are the representations that have come in attempting to reduce the proposals for the facilitation of the disabled?

No. The main interest of the submissions has been to the advantage of the disabled.