Accessibility Rules for Public Buildings came into operation from 31st December 2015
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Section 25 of the Disability Act 2005 requires that the public areas of public buildings are made accessible to Part M of the Building Regulations. This became law on the 31st December 2015 and the Minister of State for New Communities, Culture, Equality and Drugs Strategy, Aodhán Ó Ríordáin T.D., welcomed the coming into force of section 25 of the Disability Act 2005. He noted that “This is an important milestone for people with disabilities as the section became law on 31st December 2005 and provides that all public buildings that were public buildings at that time must be brought into compliance with Part M of the second Schedule of the Building Regulations (2000) by 31st December 2015”.
Section 25 of the Disability Act also requires that Public buildings shall be brought into compliance with any amendment of Part M made after such commencement not later than 10 years after the commencement of the amendment. The requirements of Part M were amended in 2010 and these requirements came into operation on the 1st January 2012. Therefore public bodies must ensure by 1st January 2022 that the requirements of Part M 2010 are met within their public buildings.
In the press release published by the Department of Justice and Equality they noted that the Department, with assistance from the National Disability Authority (NDA), has recently completed Phase 2 of a comprehensive consultation process which is taking place with a view to putting in place a new National Disability Inclusion Strategy. The consultation process allows interested parties to make recommendations in key areas such as service provision, accommodation, health, employment, and education. Phase 1 of the consultation process to develop a new Disability Inclusion Strategy in Ireland was launched in June 2015 and Phase 2 in November and the feedback from Phase 2 is now being reviewed by the NDA.
For further details on the press release from the Department of Justice and Equality click here.
Alternatively if you would like to learn more about section 25 of the Disability Act 2005 or making buildings accessible, please do not hesitate to contact one of our team on 01-4151285 or e-mail [email protected]
