245 Mrs. T. Ahearn asked the Minister for Justice, Equality and Law Reform if all public buildings are wheelchair accessible; and if he will make a statement on the matter [8539/00]

Each Department is committed under the Programme for Prosperity and Fairness to taking all reasonable steps to make its services and those of its agencies accessible to people with disabilities. Guidelines will be issued and an accessibility symbol will be awarded to compliant public offices. Under the terms of the programme, Departments and agencies are asked to take all reasonable action to qualify within five years. My Department will, together with the National Disability Authority, when it is established, work to issue the guidelines; put in place the criteria for award of the accessibility symbol and monitor progress towards the achievement of this commitment.