Dáil Éireann Debate, Wednesday - 26 November 2025
205. Deputy Aisling Dempsey asked the Minister for Housing, Local Government and Heritage if he will review planning regulations in relation to the provision of baby changing facilities in disabled toilets in commercial and privately owned buildings such as hotels and restaurants, which may prevent a disabled person from accessing the toilet when they need to; and if he will make a statement on the matter. [66413/25]
Amharc ar fhreagraAs Minister with responsibility for Planning, I have no statutory planning function with regard to the provision of sanitary facilities, and there are no planning regulations with regard to baby changing facilities.
The building regulations set out minimum standards for the design and construction of buildings and works to ensure the health and safety of people in and around buildings. The minimum performance requirements that a building must achieve are set out in the second schedule to the building regulations. These requirements are set out in 12 parts (classified as Parts A to M).
The building regulations apply to the construction of all new buildings (including houses), extensions to existing buildings as well as for material alterations and certain material changes of use to existing buildings. The related Technical Guidance Documents (Parts A - M respectively) provide technical guidance on how to comply with the regulations in practical terms.
Where works are carried out in accordance with the relevant technical guidance, such works are considered to be, prima facie, in compliance with the relevant regulation(s).
Part M (Access and Use) aims to foster an inclusive approach to the design and construction of the built environment. The requirements of Part M underpin the principle of Universal Design. Technical Guidance Document M (TGD M), sets out guidance on the minimum level of provision to meet requirements of Part M, including guidance on accessible sanitary facilities.
However, those involved in the design and construction of buildings should also have regard to the design philosophy of Universal Design and consider making additional provisions where practicable and appropriate. For this purpose, a list of useful references, advocating greater accessibility, is given at the end of TGD M.
Chapter 5 of the Centre for Excellence in Universal Design’s publication ‘Building for Everyone: A Universal Design Approach’ provides guidance with regard to baby-changing facilities and their locations.
