606. Deputy Barry Ward asked the Minister for Education and Youth in cases in which a building under her control is not wheelchair accessible, the reason for this; her plans to remedy this; and the timeline for measures to be completed. [65344/26]

My department publishes guidance on Universal Access in its School Design Guidance for new primary and post-primary schools and accommodation for pupils with special education needs on the Department’s website. This is available on gov.ie at: www.gov.ie/en/department-of-education/publications/technical-guidance-documentsschool-design-guides/.

All new school buildings and extensions to schools funded by my department must be designed to cater for persons with varying ranges of physical ability and they must not be disadvantaged by design limitations. Access for All should be provided in all new building works and shall be in accordance with the Building Regulations Part M Access & Use. The criteria set out in the current publications of the National Disability Authority should also be considered in all cases.

All new school projects must be designed and constructed in accordance the Building Regulations Technical Guidance Document Part M – Access & Use and with a granted Disability Access Certificate (DAC), which is a statutory approval. The completed school building project is certified on completion by the Assigned Certifier & Builder as in compliance with the Building Control (Amendment) Regulations.

It is a matter for individual school authorities to ensure compliance of existing school accommodation with statutory requirements. As the Deputy may be aware, it is open to school authorities to apply for funding under the Emergency Works Scheme (EWS) to address unforeseen emergencies, or to provide funding to facilitate inclusion and access for pupils with special needs. Details of the scheme are outlined in Emergency Works Circular Letter 0068/2020 which is available on www.gov.ie.