Dublin City Council is to spend up to €8 million in 2008 on improvements to public buildings, footpaths and parks to make them more accessible for disabled users.

The improvements are part of a seven-year implementation plan to upgrade all the city's buildings and public spaces to meet the standards set down by the EU and by the 2005 Disability Act.

The council is also to encourage the business community to upgrade their premises' accessibility.

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With the improvement works the council aims to achieve "universal accessibility" and not just for wheelchair users but also for those with mobility difficulties, visual and hearing impairments.

This year, it intends to spend €3.4 million on footpath improvements, which will be carried out on an area-to-area basis. Public building work will concentrate on the inner city in 2008, with €3.2 million of improvements to the Civic Offices and nine public libraries.

An additional €1 million will be spent on public parks in the inner city also this year. Upgrades at road crossings, disabled parking bays, public transport and public lighting will be made on an ongoing basis.

(VB/JM)