Housing Minister Eoghan Murphy has been urged to make all government-built public housing entirely disability accessible.

Labour Spokesperson for Disability and general election candidate for Cork North Central, Kathleen Lynch, spoke out today, 03 December, marking the 26th International Day of Persons with Disabilities.

Mrs Lynch said: "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.

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"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."

Measures outlined by Labour include building standards that allow for wheelchair access to all rooms on the ground floor and space within bathrooms for safety rails.

Mrs Lynch continued: "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."

(CM)