1443 Deputy Leo Varadkar asked the Minister for the Environment, Heritage and Local Government further to Parliamentary Question No. 489 of 29 June 2010, if he will amend the retail planning guidelines to require supermarkets and department stores above specified size to provide public toilets to help persons who suffer from incontinence to lead a normal life; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [31841/10]

As stated in the reply to Question No. 489 of 29 June 2010, I have no function in the matter. The are no provisions in planning legislation or the Retail Planning Guidelines regarding the issue in question, and I do not intend to amend the Retail Planning Guidelines in this regard.

However, in certain circumstances and in the case of new buildings the Building Regulations require the provision of certain sanitary facilities for staff and customers, the requirement for the latter being in respect of buildings greater than 1,000m².