447. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation in cases in which a building under his control is not wheelchair accessible, the reason for this; his plans to remedy this; and the timeline for measures to be completed. [65352/26]

449. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Public Expenditure, Infrastructure, Public Service Reform and Digitalisation the wheelchair accessibility of all buildings under his control; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [65322/26]

I propose to take Questions Nos. 447 and 449 together.

The Office of Public Works, in the role of the State’s property-owning and manages an extensive property portfolio of circa 2,500 buildings which can be divided broadly into modern property and historic or heritage buildings.

The modern property portfolio comprises accommodation for the Civil service, Government department and agencies and An Garda Síochána in buildings that are either leased or owned by the OPW. Not all of these buildings are open to the public or have public offices. Areas within them may not necessarily have wheelchair access either due to the age and status of the building, that it is in temporary use or that the provision of wheelchair access would not be practicable, unless the Employment Equality Acts 1998-2021 and/or the Equal Status Acts apply.

Within this modern estate, where services are provided to the public e.g. at Social Welfare offices, Garda Stations, public access must be in compliance with Part M of the Building Regulations as set out by the Department of Housing, Local Government and Heritage. Part M sets the statutory minimum design and standards obligations. The OPW works closely with the National Disability Authority (NDA) on improving accessibility at properties and buildings across our portfolio. The NDA has a statutory monitoring role in relation to Section 25 of the Disability Act 2005, which requires public bodies to ensure that areas to which the public has access are accessible to people with disabilities. In some instances, buildings that cannot be practically upgraded to compliance with accessibility standards are closed, disposed of, or replaced with new compliant buildings by the OPW. While Part M represents that minimum, 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, which we endeavour to do.

The OPW conserves and maintains the National built heritage estate comprising architecturally significant Historic Buildings in Dublin, the National Historic Properties and National Monuments either owned or in guardianship of the State. Not all are accessible or universally accessible to the public. Within the heritage estate specific exceptions and balancing factors come into focus which relate to sites governed under Section 29 of the Disability Act 2005. These include consideration of changes that would compromise building features, interiors and its curtilage where it has Protected Structure status or it is a National Monument. In addition, a number of constraints are in place where there are limited available resources or other statutory obligations or restrictions are in place. Wheelchair access is provided where possible within these sites and buildings, being prioritised on a case by case basis and using a range of parameters including visitor numbers, practicality and location.

The OPW will continue to prioritise this work with a view to progressively raising accessibility standards across its historic properties and national monuments portfolios, in line with its obligations under the Disability Act 2005.

The current Universal Access Programme commenced in 2017 in the OPW. Generally, facilities are either being built as new installations, or as upgrades to existing offices and associated places for public and staff accommodation across the portfolio. Works typically involve site specific responses based on site specific accessibility audits. Typically design solutions including improved external set down and arrival areas, the introduction of ramps and handrails in place of steps, upgraded meeting rooms and office suites and reorganised sanitary facilities.

35 projects of this nature were completed in 2025 with expenditure of circa €2m. A further tranche is being delivered this year and are at various stages in the planning and construction cycle.

The OPW will continue this work to consistently improve accessibility standards in line with its obligations across the legislative framework.