COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

south dublin county council crest

MEETING OF RATHFARNHAM AREA COMMITTEE

Tuesday, October 13, 2009

MOTION NO. 5

MOTION: Councillor C. Keane

"That this Committee discuss (once again) the requirement for a lift at Rathfarnham Shopping Centre asking the shopping centre management for a further report on same. Elderly; prams; etc. have difficulty accessing facilities such as doctors on first floor."

REPORT:

Having examined the Disability Act 2005, it appears that it is only public buildings which have to be compliant and allow access to persons with disabilities.

‘Public Building’ is defined as a building or that part of a building, to which members of the public generally have access and which is occupied, managed or controlled by a public body. As the Rathfarnham Shopping Centre is not a public building it is not covered by the Disability Act.

The following Report was Noted at the Terenure/Rathfarnham Area Commitee Meeting held on 7th April 2009

"Arising from recent contact with the Property Management for Rathfarnham Shopping Centre in connection with Wheelchair access, the following reply was received on 31st March 2009.

"The provision of access facilities for the disabled -and the wheelchair bound in particular -to the upper floor of RSC was to have been included in a revised redevelopment scheme for the Shopping Centre by way of new lifts and possibly travelators .These have been included in our drawings and costings , but it would be unfair of me to hold out any prospect of an early implementation in the current economic climate .
 
We realise that this is disappointing news, particularly for our disabled and elderly customers and we share that disappointment.""
 
This matter has again been raised with the owners of the Shopping Centre and their response is awaited.