State risks legal proceedings over 645 issues for people with disabilities at Leinster House

Darragh Mc Donagh

An accessibility audit of the Leinster House complex has identified 645 issues affecting people with disabilities, nearly 200 of which posed a risk to health and safety or were considered likely to give rise to legal proceedings.

The audit was carried out by specialist consultants over three days and revealed “several critical areas needing attention” among hundreds of concerns regarding accessibility at the national parliament.

Disabled parking bays were incorrectly marked out, a security scanner at the public entrance was too narrow for wheelchair users, and a number of issues were identified with accessible toilets in the complex.

The audit also noted that people in wheelchairs were required to take a different route to the Members’ Restaurant from the canteen in Leinster House. It said routes should be “equitable” and allow disabled people to remain with their companions.

Wheelchair users were also prevented from accessing a medical room by a narrow doorway, which was also partially obstructed by the base of a statue, according to the audit report, which was obtained under freedom of information laws.

A fire exit was identified that was too narrow for wheelchairs, and inspectors noted that there were steps on an evacuation route leading to an emergency exit from the public gallery in the Dáil.

An evacuation chair was found to be still in its delivery protective covers, and was just propped up against a wall. Staff were unsure how to use the device in the event of an emergency, the audit noted.

A number of issues were identified with committee rooms in the complex regarding wheelchair seating, signage, loose tiles, and trip hazards. There were also issues with access to the Taoiseach’s gallery.

Around 30 per cent of the 645 issues or concerns were categorised as “priority one” in the audit, which were considered to pose health and safety risks or were likely to give rise to legal proceedings.

Some 45 per cent of the issues were classed as “priority two”, 16 per cent were “priority three”, and nine percent were categorised as “priority four”.

The audit, which was conducted in September 2024, covered all three buildings of the complex: Leinster House, LH2000, and the 1966 block.

Kevin ‘Boxer’ Moran, the minister of state with responsibility for the Office of Public Works (OPW), said last month that the agency was carrying out feasibility studies regarding additional accessible toilets following the audit.

“The purpose of the audit was to provide expertise, insight, and recommendations for a more universally inclusive parliament,” he said in response to a parliamentary question by Sinn Féin TD Rúairí Ó Murchú.

“The recommendations help to identify priority accessibility works required in the short term and to assist with the planning of larger upgrade works within Leinster House.”

Mr Moran said the design and installation of new toilet facilities would balance the historic nature of the buildings with the need to improve access for people with disabilities.

Last September, the Government launched a new five-year strategy committing to provide better accessibility for disabled people in their everyday lives.

The strategy was described as a “milestone” by Taoiseach Micheál Martin at the time.

“I am confident it will come to be regarded as a landmark moment for the advancement of disability rights in Ireland,” he said.

“The commitments set out here represent an ambitious programme of work over the next five years, cutting across the full range of issues that affect a disabled person in their daily life.”