Disability support must be integrated into all public housing – Lynch

Labour Spokesperson for Disability and general election candidate for Cork North Central, Kathleen Lynch has called on Minister Eoghan Murphy to ensure that all public housing built by this government be completely disability accessible.

Commenting today, Mrs. Lynch said:

“Today marks the 26th International Day of Persons with Disabilities and provides us all with a timely reminder of all the ways disabled persons contribute to society. It is also a timely reminder that those living with a disability are just as likely to rely on the public provision of services as anyone else.

“We are in the middle of an incredible housing crisis. It is important that the specific needs of disabled persons are provided for in the building of public housing.

“In our housing policy, Labour has laid out how we would provide for accessibility in public housing.

“The Labour Party would make provision so that all public housing is designed to allow for the people who acquire disabilities (not least in old age) can continue to live in their home for as long as possible. Example measures including building standards that allow for wheelchair access to all rooms on the ground floor, space within bathrooms for safety rails, and so on.

“Labour’s quality standards for the built environment surrounding housing would also be disability-friendly, in terms of ensuring wheelchair access and safe environments for people who are sensory impaired.

“I am calling on the Minister for Housing to ensure that any and all future public housing built by his government is built to accommodate persons with a disability.”