COMHAIRLE CONTAE ÁTHA CLIATH THEAS
SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

MEETING OF SOUTH DUBLIN COUNTY COUNCIL

Monday, July 13, 2020

QUESTION NO. 22

QUESTION: Councillor F. Timmons

To ask the Chief Executive for a report into wheelchair bathroom facilities in community centres and Council owned building and is this the normal and policy of SDCC? Is this in the County Development plan ? Also to comment on Changing Places and what the plan is for to roll than out throughout the county?

REPLY:

Accessible bathroom provision is required for all buildings including new houses in accordance with standards set out under Part M of the Building Regulations.

In buildings accessible to the public an accessible bathroom typically measures 2.0 x 2.4 metres (4.8 sq. ms) to comply with this standard. Changing Places is an initiative to provide improved access for a wider range of disability including additional space for user and up to two assistants, , height-adjustable fittings including adult-sized changing bench/bed and a full-coverage ceiling -track hoist system. The resulting space required is 4.0 x 3,0 metres ( 12.0 sq. ms). South Dublin County Council has now completed a new Changing Place facility in County Hall Tallaght. A second facility will follow in the North Clondalkin Library in August/September with a third facility in Lucan Swimming Pool mid-2021. There are currently 11 such facilities in the Republic of Ireland so this Council will soon be the largest contributor to this initiative nationally. The additional space required , the height-adjustable equipment and the constructional and usage implications of the full-coverage hoist has significant cost , insurance and annual maintenance implications which seriously limit the locations which can afford or safely manage a facility of this nature.

Further Changing Places will be reviewed against these parameters to ensure that where provided they can be both safe and sustainable. Standards beyond the Building Regulations are not included in the Development Plan.